Vacation!

Headed to the lake for a week -- fireworks over the lake on the Fourth of July.

Cooking out.

Farm markets -- not at their peak yet, but the fruit will be wonderful, and so will the baked goods.

Relaxing.

Thinking. Maybe writing.

Creating. Celebrating.

I've started making my "rules." Rules help give me structure, keep me on track. Since they are my rules, I can choose to defy them if need be, but at least I'm starting with something solid.

And, since I probably need accountability, I'm sharing them with you! We'll see how I do.

1) Do art every day — even if it's very small art — just a sketch or a drawing. And art is defined as fiber, painting/drawing or collage.

That should be easy enough. Maybe I should add photography to that. Although that's probably not fair. Well, OK -- if I consider not the snapshot type of photos, but photography I have to work at.

2) Walk at least two miles every day that isn't crappy. More would be better. That's really only twice around the block or back and forth to the public beach a few times. Or walking to the little store. Really. I should be able to do that. That's "low" expectations.

3) Complete at least two or three household chores I don't want to do. (Like clean the utility room or garage or a nasty closet or something. (This should go without saying, but who wants to, really...)

(Don't you just love how this picture has Rick working, not me!)

4) Read at least three books (or maybe finish at least two books and make good headway on a third.) (If I take "John Adams" with me, I may revise that. These are "normal" books. Of any kind or topic. It's not like I don't have a few to take with me!)

5) Take a field trip. Maybe more. Take pictures. Blog on it.

Meanwhile, Favored Cat will be able to watch squirrels, birds, and ducks to his heart's content!

Think I can do it? We'll see! Meanwhile, I will have a couple of preposts (more visits to the museum's collections) in case I can't get online and will do my best to keep current and visit you from the library once or twice if nothing else!

And there are book thoughts on Chopsticks and String -- Just up is a new Aimee Leduc mystery by Cara Black set in Paris' Marais district. Of course the post has Paris photos, because it's been a year, I'm homesick, and I just had to use them!

I need structure. Even if I choose to defy it.