My Summer, Unplugged.

Here we go, some parting shots. Calliope at 3 months, her buttery breath and intense gaze. Us berry-picking to celebrate what Geoff told the kids was "the birthday of our family"-- our 8th anniversary.

So, the official beginning of a slower, more deliberate, more checked-in season. The mailman has brought us 4 postcards as part of a dee-lightful postcard swap to bring in the summer. Hurray for good old-fashioned snail mail! In yoga, on Monday, Meredith said, "Our organs are compressed by all the sitting that we do." I have been thinking about this. I need to get off my can when I can.

Calliope and I spent an evening at my neighbor's watching the episodes of "My So-Called Life," tasting possible wedding cakes and eating Machengo and Piave cheeses. Nursing a baby and watching Jordan Catalano was totally surreal for me. A lot of laughing and admitting to wearing flannel shirts with tank tops underneath. Remembering Eddie Vedder's voice and writing for the Talon again.

The summer is in full swing, the local produce is knocking our socks off. We have finally lived here long enough to find a "secret beach" (Thanks to the Incomparable Stephanie!). Clara's gymfoolery. Benici's day camp. Manny's Capoeira. Reading "Nurtured by Love" by Sinichi Suzuki. Anne Lamott's new book is the tall drink of water I have needed.

I wish you long, languid days, where you pass through the heat with composure and hours of puzzles on the cool wood floor.

Visit again when we have new trees on our street (Talk about putting down roots!). When I have a one-kid Kindergarten class underway. When we tone down the messy art-making in favor of a teeny Suzuki violin. Trade some of the action-figure action for some language lessons.

Hydrate, stay loose, nose over toes.