Noted: June

I knew this summer would be nothing if not different and June has truly laid the way for a windy path forward.

June included many more days in town than I’m used to in the Summer. Between my pre-teen’s summer camp schedule and my wife’s job, I’m adjusting to and even enjoying being out and about a bit more than my introverted self is accustomed to.

::: GASP! :::

I saw somewhere recently that, if you devote 18 minutes a day to something, at the end of the year you’ll have devoted 100 hours to that thing.

Yes, yes… it seems like common sense, but when looking at the numbers, sometimes it all hits different, you know?

So, between navigating schedules and errand running, I’ve done my best in June to enjoy quiet moments at my favorite park, start a new buddy read schedule with a good friend, gently browse random stores and second hand shops, and allow extra time in my favorite used book stores.

Every minute counts 🙂

Farm + Garden

More time in town does mean we’re intentionally growing less on the farm this season, but that’s not a problem at all at this point. One can only do so much and balance is key.

While we’re at the point on the farm where nothing is quite abundant yet, I continue to push seeds into the soil to replace the sprouts the bugs eat, irrigate, weed, and encourage it all in its evolution toward our eventual plates.

Everyone and every thing is just doing their best to stay cool, calm, and collected 😉 Thank goodness for the few rain showers we’ve gotten recently!

That being said, the herbs are peaking (lemon balm and oregano and rosemary, oh my) and the wild foraging is picking up (the Cota tea is ready, the Mullein is gorgeous, and the Gumweed is so close).

The poultry have also either removed themselves from or been kicked off (by yours truly) their nests (no babes were harmed, promise) so eggs are once again in abundance and on the menu!

Create + Inspire

Inspired by a short talk/workshop in the Stitchwell Social Club community, I’ve begun making Soap Sacks for community members who might benefit from a little donated TLC.

With a gift certificate to Michaels, I purchased three skeins of cotton yarn and am slowly whipping up a few soap sacks for my local community center to have on hand. They’re quick and easy to pull together and I’m hopeful each one will make someone’s day a bit brighter.

Read + Write

More time in town also means more time for writing when I can find a quiet place to land 🙂

Serendipitously, in a couple of my quieter moments, I’ve been inspired for the first time decades to write poetry again! It’s not anything I’m ready to share, but it feels good to be thinking in prose again after a very.long.break.

Of course, writing here is always a priority, though sometimes I get in my own way about it. I am working on establishing a loose blogging schedule to help wrap my head around weekly and monthly posts (like this one!). Alas, I did get six posts published here, including these two which many seemed to enjoy, just in case you missed them:

• Grandma Eve’s Baby Shoes – “I don’t pull them out often, but I wanted to hold them while it was all at the top of my mind, so hold them I did. I reflected on how fast our babies become children before becoming teens and then striking out in independence… Our children grow up, create their own lives, and maybe have children of their own. And the cycle continues.”
• Top Ten Most Anticipated Books: July-Dec 2026 – “While some of the below upcoming book releases have been on my radar for a little while, many were happy surprises. The only problem with further researching upcoming releases is that my TBR has grown exponentially 😉 Truth be told, I’m sure many wonderful novels have slipped past my awareness and will saunter in later.”

On the reading front, I finished four fantastic novels in June…

…and began the whimsical Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous.

There you have it…

An entire month boiled down into a few shirt details. It’s not everything, but it’s plenty.

I hope the past month has been kind to you and the month ahead is filled with all the peace and joy your heart can hold!

I’m off to see what Natalie has been up to and check the comments for posts by other community members. Join me?

Onward,

Melissa