As I learn that plants I step on daily are edible, pick wildflowers for vases or my hair, feast from mulberry trees that line the street, and just learn to recognize the plants around me, I find myself understanding more and more the riches in the earth, the great provision we are given in nature. And somehow, I know God a little better.

Hi, friends. The tomatoes are growing, the fireflies are glowing, at the internet has vanished from the Whitlock apartment. It makes my posts here much shorter and less frequent, but I don’t mind. It gives me a reason to sit at coffee shops, and lets me find new ways to waste away my time. The other day I spent a half hour laying on the bed blowing bubbles at the ceiling. I’ll take that over blogging any day.

The most delightful things I’ve spent my internetless days on are reading The Idiot, running into Jonah, writing, eating juneberries, doing yoga and drinking fresh, delicious milk in wine glasses on the porch with Tiffany. And before the elderblossems all wilt away, I want to put some on a sandwich and eat it. I hear you can do that.

Oh, good days. So much happening, so much growing and being discovered. Summer is sweet, I tell you. Do yourself a favor. Find a juneberry tree. Buy good milk. And share it.

Rest. Ah.

I lick the juice from my fingers
stained by berries and blood.
The thorn you pulled from my thumb,
you drop to the ground. No one
will find it. It is hidden by tall
grass and men
standing like wheat.

“I had always wanted to be an explorer, though I didn’t know it at the time.”

I have started typing up the first part of the novel I’m working on. This will be a longer one, so I’m doing it in chunks, rather than scribbling the whole thing out and then going back to type it up. That line, the first line, is what the whole story sprang from. This particular character has been a pleasure to work with, and an entirely good influence on me. I just know you’ll like him.

Publishing the children’s book has been going slowly, which one can expect, I suppose. But in the last week at work, I discovered I had a small wealth of a couple people at the coffee shop who have connections in the literary world and would like to help me a bit along the way. Their expressed support alone is worth gold.

In other news, the strawberries are ripe. I bought a couple quarts at the farmer’s market this morning and have great plans for some afternoon strawberry shortcake, and perhaps some jam. I also got fresh peas, cucumber, and a loaf of sourdough bread. June is such a nice time for eating!

Feeling a bit slimed today after work. Just a little slime. I’m probably not getting enough alone time.
Here are things that I go to to brighten me on slimy days, these days:

1. This interview with Maya Angelou (click on Listen Now)

2. Roald Dahl’s official website. Particularly “Meet Roald Dahl” and “An Interview with Roald Dahl.”

3. Dancing around to The Cure. I’m reminded these days, of how much nicer life is with dancing in it.

4. Watching Pete and Pete. (or just watch the credits on YouTube)

5. Reading poems and the Bible.

6. Being with Adam.

7. Lying down, listening, and staring at the ceiling.

Hold onto what is good and true and what gives people dignity. I know these things exist because I see them in my friends

What do you look at on slime days?

On my way home from Ace with hands full of pots and soil, I came across a little boy scootering around his driveway.

Him: Hi.

Me: Hi!

Him: Everyone tells me how good I am at riding my scooter.

Me: Oh, yeah? Can you show me? (he scootered from the sidewalk to the cars and back) Wow!

Him: Yeah. I’m really good.

Me: How long have you been practicing?

Him: Oh, for a really long time. I got this scooter when I was only three. I’m seven now.

Me: Wow!

Him: I learned how to ride a scooter before I learned to ride a bike.

Me: Are you good at riding a bike, too?

Him: Yeah. My mom says I should be in the Tour de France.

Me: That’s awesome! Are you planning on doing the Tour de France?

Him: Maybe when I’m in my twenties. I’ll be all slim and ride one of those bikes that makes you bend low so the wind goes whoosh right over your head. I can do a wheelie, you know.

Me: Really?

Him: Yeah. Want to see?

I did. And it turned my day around. Kids are awesome.

Jonah: What about you? Do you know what you want to do?

Me: Right now, I’m more interested who I want to be than what I want to do.

Jonah: Who do you want to be?

Me: Well, I guess I just want to be the woman I was born to be.

Jonah: Yes! Say it again.

Me: I want to be the woman I was born to be.

Jonah: One more time! Louder!

Me: I want to be the woman I was born to be!

It was a sweet moment on a dark street between two strangers, and surprisingly candid for such a guarded girl as myself. I’ve been learning so much these days about women and people and who we are born to be. I’ve been learning that I have so much to learn.

That’s all. I just wanted to tell you.

Adam and I are back from our little camping trip in Michigan!

It was nice to spend time in little towns where everyone waves to each other, hang out by the lake, take long walks through the woods, cook over a fire, and smell like smoke all the time. I think the best part was just spending heaps of time with my best friend without phone calls or computers or television shows. We talked, a lot, and he taught me how to start a good fire.

Three cheers for vacations.