Summer – are you already over?
Ever since I can remember, fall has been my favorite season. But after summer 2021, I am starting to reconsider.
In early June, I met my dear friend Danielle from D.C. in her hometown of Phoenix. It was HOTTTTT. Enjoyed seeing her childhood home, high school, church and college (ASU), visiting with her parents and meeting some of her life-long friends. When you make good friends with someone as an adult, it is so cool to experience where they grew up. We ate good food, relaxed at the pool, hiked through the beautiful Papago Park and saw lots of Saguaros.
From the desert to the beach – I next flew out to Anna Maria Island, Florida to visit Jeanne, my best friend from Texas A&M. White sandy beaches, turquoise water, delicious seafood and my new favorite skinny cocktail with a locally made spirit – Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum…yummm. Visits with Jeanne and her husband, Jeff, are always packed with laughter and fun. You never know what may happen – this time we ended up at a Moose Lodge…
In July, I returned to my favorite little cottage in Kerrville. The owners gave me a great deal to rent it for the remainder of 2021. Knowing that fully remote work won’t last forever, I decided to spend the rest of the summer in Kerrville and then split time between there and Houston for the rest of 2021. On cool mornings, my office is the front porch and my only meetings are with the four-legged kind.
Over the 4th of July weekend, I was able to meet up with my law school friend, Ashley, and her family at Jellystone Park. Had LOTS of river time – kayaking on Devils River, relaxed in the Medina River with my law school friend, Amanda, floated in the Frio River, and spent many days at Mo Ranch, my favorite spot on the Guadalupe River.
With my brother’s plans to go to Russia still on hold, we had lots of sibling time. A trip to Singing Waters Vineyards in Comfort, checking out hole-in-the-wall places in Kerrville (we found the poor man’s Lake Travis), and lots of early season college football.
Was great to have impromptu meals with my family and to attend church with them at Trinity Presbyterian in Boerne. Spending all of this time with them has been really sweet, especially with Joel leaving for Russia soon.
I also resumed my search for some Hill Country land to purchase…and I am excited to report that in early September I closed on a 50-acre place about 45 minutes from Kerrville. It has great views, nice live oak trees and lots of wildlife. I had a Tim Riggins “Texas Forever” moment seeing the sunset from my property for the first time.
As the Bard of Avon once wrote, “summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” My exact feelings about summer 2021. I am so thankful though for all of the wonderful memories I will carry with me from this time.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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