Irish Eyes Smiling

The sun has returned à la Richard the Lionheart to chase October back from whence it came, and I’ve reclaimed my summery state of mind. Despite hosting the energizer bunny of all chest colds (six weeks and counting!) and dealing with a mutinous lower back, I’m greatly happy’ed by the following:

Icy pink watermelonade
Supper every night on the balcony
Ben Folds’ live albums
Those first priceless conversations with a newly-talking Sophie
Sleeping with the windows open
Shel Silverstein poems
Snapshots from a summer of weddings
The Italian term for a bachelor[ette] party: “Farewell to celibacy”
Impromptu dinner guests
Orange curtains
Watching Natalie build fantastical Lego worlds
“Better Off Ted”
Magic sponges on a super-sale
Things in their places
Strawberry-banana smoothie bars, which Natalie has dubbed “The best popsicles EVER!”
City lights
Blue Like Jazz re-read for the umpteenth time
Minty nighttime breezes

Early Saturday morning, we leave on what may be our most ambitious traveling adventure to date: a two-week road trip to and from Ireland, camping in assorted European countries along the way.  Dan has dubbed the trip “Car Lingus,” which makes me giggle every time I start to stress over the details. Internet access is a sketchy maybe for the trip, but I’ll be back once I can. Until then, I hope to be sipping Guinness and soaking up good luck in a land where people believe “a face without freckles is like a sky without stars.” (Glory be, says my nose.) Take of August for me; I’ll be seeing you soon.