Swing Sipping

Everyone says "blog the way you talk if sipping coffee with a friend". I keep thinking about that, and thinking about that, and thinking about that . . . it doesn't help me get any blogging done. So this evening I decided to brew a pot of coffee and work a little harder at my little game of pretend.

It is quite nice, to sit back and sip on a cup of java in the evening like this. Luckily I don't usually have to worry about the caffeine keeping me awake at night. This time of the day there is a nice breeze at the swing where I am sitting listening for hummingbirds. They will show-off their evening waltz any moment now.

In the distance I can hear the motor of a boat racing on the lake, several motorcycles cruise in the hills, cars pass beyond the neighborhood and voices of families in their yards and people walking, jogging and enjoying the evening can be heard, too.

It is not cold out but the warmth of the mug feels good in my hands. I smile as I recall . . . this is no more ironic than the day I sat on the end of the pier at Fantasy Island in Roatan, in mid December, listening to Bing Crosby sing over the airwaves about a White Christmas while I sat in my bikini dangling my feet in the warm clear ocean water.

The light breeze and the shade play tricks on the senses making it hard to believe temps are still in the high 90's out here. A brief walk would be a quick reminder, though. It is starting to look like fall but it surely does not feel anything like it. It is Labor day, though and the last of a 3 day weekend. School kicks into gear now and new routines begin. I have looked forward to the beginning of this semester. It will be my first semester self employed while the kids are both in school. That wandering thought commands a long, savoring sip from the mug. It is exciting to think of having more of my own time to manage.

There is a huge sense of relief in the air this evening. (Well, not for everyone, but for many!) Gustav, the storm, made landfall this morning and thank God caused nowhere near the devastation everyone seemed to be prepared for. Unlike Katrina three years ago this storm accompanied many warnings and early evacuations. The officials took no chances and although this may have been an untimely expense for many, preparedness and prevention prevailed! Now that is using God-given brains!

I kick at the pebbles beneath my heels as the swing drags my feet across them. Inhaling I catch the aroma of my Cinnamon Vanilla Nut creamer with a hint of freshly cut Zoysia grass. Yummmmmmmmm! Smells like dusk on a hill country summer's eve. Grab a mug, and have a seat. Swing! Sip! Smile!