Our House in the Middle of Our Street

Although this past year was exceptionally strange, it was a huge time of growth for Lukka--physically, certainly, but also maturing as a person. He still loves movement: skiing, tennis, and now roller hockey and sword fighting. He is working his second summer lawn mowing for pay, has been learning how to break up goals and manage his time wisely, and still has a tender spot for animals. He has been working so hard at his schoolwork and has really challenged himself this year with higher level Physics. He had a goal to learn the violin and has already surpassed 3 levels in one year (!), along with maintaining his practice and ability on the piano. He is a deep thinker and loves to toss around unique ideas (ahem, and debate...regularly). He is curious about so much and also knows when something isn't working for him and is open to new ideas and advice. We are so proud of this young man he is becoming. We love you, Lukka, and Happy Birthday!! Lukka watching the baby robin perched on t

 I can categorically say I only finished one of the top four books as of typing this-dismally late in early July!- but thankfully it was completed.  Although this subpar photo is all I have that captures my reading in May, thank goodness for my Bookshelf and Books Read visual boards via Pinterest, or I'd never remember anything.  Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo - Although I don't remember specifics about this book, I do remember enjoying most of it. This is why I can't write reviews months after the fact (!)-I just forget specific topics, images, or themes of a book of poetry aside from the way I felt reading it. I'm sorry I can't comment on it more than that except I did like her other book, An American Sunrise , a bit better than this one.  The After Diet by Purva Brown - This is a very short little book that is a personal story of a woman who is someone I follow online. Her story involves weightlifting and figuring out macro and micro nutrie