I love the long days of summer - waking up at dawn to the birds twitterpating in the elderberry bushes outside our window; blueberries, raspberries and snap peas from the garden; dogs at the beach, ice cream and evening walks.   It's time for me to take a break, starting with a mid-summer meditation retreat. I'll be back writing and sending you these posts in August. In the meantime, watch the sunrise, eat some peaches, and soak up summertime.  

I go among trees and sit still.

All my stirring becomes quiet

Around me like circles on water.

My tasks lie in their places

Where I left them, asleep like cattle.

-An excerpt from one of my favorite Wendell Berry poems...