...and The Wheel turns towards Autumn

Seems this blog has become a monthly rather than daily event- my apologies for those of you that follow. 

 What to say about this summer-- crazy-busy, hotter n hell, trying, challenging, rewarding.. yea: its been all of that and more. 

 In my last post I mentioned my summer bucket list of which one item was canoeing down the Jordan River here in East Jordan. We did manage that- just a few days after Venetian Festival and a house-full of guests. It was beautifully rewarding and sunny and gorgeous. It was sublime and peaceful and something that will become a tradition, I'm sure.

The Jordan River- East Jordan, Michigan

A region-wide shortage of workers has been a defining point for most of us running service type businesses in Northern Michigan this summer. Those few workers we were able to find got loads of hours and all of us definitely put in the hard labor! From retail to food service to parks and rec workers it was slim pickings this year- I'm really hoping that next year will be better; I seriously need some help in the kitchen!

  Aside from that business for me was just plain weird; days that have traditionally been slammed were dead and traditionally slow days kicked our butts... the Michigan Beach location was up almost triple in sales while the Ferry Beach location was down by more than half. Currently I have no workers for that local so it may be done for the summer . Like I said; just weird...

 But for Today-right NOW and this very Minute (where I really like to stay focused) I am home enjoying some much needed time with a summer rain and some nola orders. The house is quiet (my son moved down to Grand Rapids yesterday) and I am teensy bit melancholy but not too bad. It was a good move for him and I have a great feeling about his choices. I will get some laundry done, work on some orders and commune with the dogs and cats-- if the sun is out tomorrow (get that reference? lol!) then I will head back to the beach for the last of the season's work...

  While it may still be hot and technically says 'summer' on the calendar the energy level here has bottomed out- the summer season is on its last legs as we head into the beautiful colors of Autumn...

 My plan is to spend some time on Mackinac Island, head back to the Yoga studio and start painting again -all things that have been on-hold for the last 8 weeks.

  The count-down for our time in New Orleans has begun...Just about nine and half weeks until we leave... so much for that 'here and now focus', eh?