Mommy, what is that big, glowing fireball in the sky?

Finally, I can walk past the wicker trunk in our living room which stores the fleece hats, knit wool scarves, the lined gloves, the ear warmers of winter and not be struck down with a pang of defeat. There is no snow, no icy rain in our 7 day forecast. " I do not need you now! Any of you!" I shout at the inhabitants of the trunk. Now we scramble to swap out the storm windows for the ancient wooden screens. And we let the house which has been boarded up against the sharp bite of bitter wind inhale the bloom of peonies and lavender and exhale the stagnant, dog breath air. The weeks of summer are like awaking from a coma- recovering from an illness long suffered. We don't know what to do with ourselves. We become gluttonous- consuming all the activities that have been withheld for too many months. We barbecue, we swim, we walk along a beach freshly raked of winter's debris (except for the canine carcass we found lolling on the shore). We attend festivals, we pull weeds and plant gardens, mow lawns and paint houses, eat lots of ice cream outdoors. We rush to take it all in- worried that somehow someone will steal the sun from us.

On the first 75 degree day, we inflated the $4 whale shaped, baby pool which barely holds 2 inches of water. And, before The Baby could dip her delicious naked toes in, Princess Commando claimed the head of the whale. Despite the fact that The Mr. was raising the older kids' 12' x 30" quick set pool (still a small wading hole, but never- the- less enjoyed by all), Princess Commando found more joy in reliving her much younger, much simpler days- when a plastic cup and a puddle's worth of water were enough to keep her entertained for 45 minutes. The Baby is not possessive of her things and her temperament is much better when she has company to share her things with. So, she lapped up the antics of her much taller sister splashing around beside her.

With the warm weather came the sacrifice of my creative outlets. I am not complaining. But, I do miss writing and illustrating for this blog. I am forever grateful for this community- for the poignant, moving, heartfelt, heart breaking, humorous writing I have the privilege of reading every day. Your words of encouragement for my own writing helped to give me the courage to submit my work for publication. It has been a while since I have been published or have submitted anything for publication. I am so excited to share with you that my essay, R.I.P Tooth Fairy, has been accepted for print in the Fall 2011 edition of Mamalode Magazine. The editor has also given me the opportunity to submit a new illustration to accompany the writing. There is a chance that the illustration may not get published. But, I am excited to begin work on it. The editor suggested a drawing of Princess Commando's "Anime eyes of sadness." I was trying to get her to pose the other night for a photograph with her forlorn face. And, I was met with this response,"Mom, why do you have to make me relive the saddest moment of my life, again?" Darling, it is all for art's sake. She did oblige me and even reenacted our conversation for a photograph of the two of us.

In two weeks, all of the children will be home for summer vacation. I am sure they will, as always, provide plenty of inspiring material. And, I am also sure that while I fulfill my body's quota of Vitamin D, feigning amnesia for those dreadful, arctic days, I will be aching inside to get my words out and to bring the pictures in my head to fruition. I hope this summer brings you all much beauty and many welcome adventures. I look forward to reading the summer chronicles of my fellow bloggers.