BURN, BABY, BURN

What a title, eh?  My new years resolution was to have a good attitude about Summer, & lately that ideal has been melted, err, I mean tested.

I pulled out of Sherwood last week, right after yoga class, & hesitated too long at a stop sign, Go bitch!  A man in the convertible car behind me yelled.  Ow, dude, I thought, you could have been nicer. 

My air conditioner broke in my car.  We’ve been having (up till a couple weeks ago) an unseasonable cool Summer.  I ever thought about waiting till next Summer to have my air conditioner fixed.  Oh, holy hell was that a BAD idea.  I noticed it was going to be in the 90’s where we were camping last week.  I called & asked my local repair shop if they could check my car same day (which, yes I know is a pretty unreasonable request).  No we are full, she replied curtly.  Ok, thanks, I replied.  She hung up without replying.

So I burned all the way there.

Which wasn’t too bad because it wasn’t very far away.  It’s all not really that bad in the long run.  It’s just how to respond to life when it gets too hot to handle.  The idea of spirituality was brought up in the women’s meeting I go to.  I feel really spiritual, I shared, very happy & full of light until I go outside my front door!  Losing patience with your loved ones, cursing at vehicles on the freeway, or chafing in 100 degree weather.  We all burn too brightly at times.

We camped at Fishermans Bend by Mill City.  We were at a group site adjacent to a playground, a basketball court, & a small walk to the river.  We hiked up to Opal Creek.  Hand’s down, one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to.  If you’re brave enough to take a dip in the 20 degree water you may have a spiritual experience like I did.  Ice cold water from the neck down while pine infused hot air blew in my face.  It was great.

I guess we all need some cooling off these days.  I’m ever grateful for a gratitude email I’m a part of.  I thought it was high time for a mid-Summer gratitude list here:

1.)  Opal Creek in the Summer time.

2.)  Summer pink sunsets on the Willamette River.

3.)  Getting my air conditioning fixed.

4.)  The smells of people cooking in the early evening.

5.)  Popsicles.

6.)  Summer road trips.

7.)  Staying home.

8.)  Sun-kissed skin.

9.)  My son’s smile as he splashed in the River.

10.)  S’mores.

11.)  I noticed the other day, my shorts pile has tripled!  I do not love wearing shorts, so this is saying a lot for this Winter loving lady.

So there it is.  Burning at times, but learning how to live symbiotically with it.  Praying/hoping/wishing you are all staying cool out there.

~Namaste.