Where Did the Time Go?

 I hadn't thought much about the fact that I haven't blogged most of this year, until I received a notfication of a comment from Nancy, basically, asking if things were okay up here in the northeast.  

Yes, but clearly, I've been neglecting a part of my life that is important to me.  I don't really have a reason that I haven't been blogging, except that, I guess I've felt a little full with other things and projects.   

What's been happening since February?

Lots of great family stuff:

• Prodigal daughter returning from her internship on the other side of the equator.  
• The "baby" taking a job as a co-worker (of sorts) with her dad. Then, taking a second job.  Then, deciding which of these two FULL-TIME jobs she wanted to keep, because working 80 hours a week is a lot for a teenager.  It's been a really enlightening six months for her.
• Visits from out-of-state family.
• Deus Ex Machina spending every weekend since May hiking and/or kayaking, which has been amazing!
• Attending some fun faires, festivals, and live shows (which we haven't done since 2019), and in general, very much enjoying the fact that we live in Maine, a.k.a. "Vacationland."
• Making more time for old friends.  

Lots of great homestead stuff:

• Planting, tending, and harvesting the garden.
• Doing some pickling/preserving (mostly eggs and jalepenos)
• Still making soap.
• Raising our annual allotment of meat birds.
• Breeding our rabbits.
• We are planning some home-renovations and improvements.  The original plan was hire someone to do the work, but it looks like we're going to have to do-it-ourselves.  Luckily, we have a lot of kids, and they are agreeing to help us out, which is amazing!  I am a lucky mama!

And working!  

• If you recall, I started working at the library last October.  I love my gig as a library assistant.  It's a dream job, and I'm very much enjoying both the work and the people.  I feel very fortunate to have the job, because it is very deeply and personally satisfying work.  As I have said, many times over the years, the library is the BEST resource/service a community can provide for its residents.  It is the ONE place that has something for every one!  And I am very blessed to be a part of it.
• I am also still serving the homeschool community as a resource teacher, and the summers are typically really busy with doing portfolio reviews.  So, that's taken most of my free time. 
• And I am working on a novel.  I have half-a-dozen novels I've attempted over the years in various stages of completion, but I have always gotten stuck and not been able to finish them.  This time is a little different, because I started it differently, and so I'm hoping it will be the one that ultimately sees the bookstore shelves.  It is, of course, a post-apocalyptic story.  I mean, what else would one expect from me?  

So, thank you to Nancy, who reached out.  I apologize for appearing to drop off the grid.  I am still around and healthy and happy!  Things are pretty much "normal" - whatever that means.  Hopefully, I'll be able to post a little more regularly, starting probably in September, when the portfolio review season has ended.

Until next time, be well.  Stay cool ... and hydrated!