Category Archives: summer

The Cardinal Surprise

August 23, 2011nature, summerKirsetin

One of the things I like most about summers at the cottage is our backyard. I love clearing out the cobwebs of my mind in the crisp cool mornings, sitting on the deck with my hot tea. I love staring at the bright red and yellows in my pretty green window box while I contemplate life.

And I especially love the birds. We have all kinds, but Mama and Papa cardinal are especially lovely. They come for the food, of course, and they have no fear of us. We sit a few feet away and listen as they call to one another. We watch as they fly over for their morning meal, eyeing us without much concern.

But this weekend, I noticed something new. Mama cardinal kept flying into the bushes, pulling off branches and flying away, around to the side of the house.

Curiosity finally got the better of me and I hoisted my slow-moving morning self out of my cushioned chair and waited by the side of the house. The next time she flew over, I watched. And this is what I found.

A nest! She’s building a nest! I’m fairly sure, but not certain, that Cardinals don’t lay eggs in the fall. Perhaps she’s just planning ahead?

August 18, 2011cottage, summerKirsetin

Summer days mean boating, beaches, sandy sandwiches, fresh strawberries, and the smell of sunscreen. In the little town where we have our cottage, it also means music in the park on Thursday night.

I know some towns that bring in bands every week or so in the summer, but in our little town it’s the local band the visitors line up to listen to. We take our dog and our kids, and it’s hard to beat a cold ice cream cone afterwards.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about listening to the local talent while laughing and relaxing with family and friends.

I’m so not ready for summer to end!

Beach Reads

August 3, 2011books, summerKirsetin

I’m not much of a Chick Lit reader, but hello? It’s summertime. Yes, I am also reading Laura Bush’s biography, and Condy’s is on my nightside table, so I’m not a total loss. But my summer author of choice? Hands down, it’s Jane Green.

Do you know her? Her books, I mean?

I stumbled onto them a few summers ago, because the pretty book spines caught my eye at the library. There they were, three in a row, in their pretty hues of yellow, green and blue. (Dune Road, The Beach House, and Second Chance.) I think I read Second Chance first, which is unfortunate, because it’s my least favorite of the three. But Dune Road? Loved it. The Beach House? Perfectly charming.

At the beginning of this summer, I asked my one of my bestest BFFs if she’d ever read Jane Green. Because she is awesome, she promptly handed me Babyville. Of course she’d read her! I proceeded to visit a different, bigger library and got my hands on copies of To Have and To Hold, and The Other Woman. Verdict? Like, and, Like!

Dear Jane,

You are so very good at this writing-fiction-that-connects-with-women thing! Naturally, they’ve been bestsellers, so you already know this. But. For. Real. I’ve tried other Chick Lit authors, best selling ones, even, and it’s just not the same. You so get it, and if I weren’t happily married and raising children in the Midwest, I might move to Connecticut just to be your friend.

Love,

Your New Fan