Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Look Up//Look Down #23: Summertime Musings

Helena started a photography meme challenging people to post a pair of photos each week which look up and look down. I took this pair last weekend - looking up trying to find a cloud in the shape of something for my summertime photography scavenger hunt (I think the cloud looks a little bit like a surfer or hula dancer or dancing mermaid or maybe a dragon, but I'm not confident enough to call it a winner) and looking down at Paul and Clara working in the backyard. 
These pictures put me in mind of plans for the summer because fixing up the backyard is definitely on my list.  I have noticed several people posting summertime lists: Ali Edwards runs a summertime manifesto.  Flora has a bucket list. Stacey has summer plans. Do you do something similar?
I have a lot of ideas for things to do, but most of them are practical and, frankly, not all that fun. I'm working; Clara'a going to summer school. We are volunteering once a week at the humane society, and I am going to help Clara find a place where she can get life guard training and/or experience teaching swim lessons. We're going to fix up the backyard and clean out the garage.
Henry's life will be full of fun and games. He graduates on Thursday, goes to Costa Rica for a senior trip and is planning to hang out with his friends having fun.
I'm thinking Clara, Paul and I need to add some fun things to the summertime list. Suggestions welcome.


23 comments:

Amy said...

I'm leaning towards it being a surfer - but could be persuaded otherwise!

Oh yes, you will need some summer fun ... you did have an impressive creative list up last week, that is a start!

debs14 said...

Yes you definitely need some fun plans, Henry can't be the only one over there having fun!
I've discovered that I'm not very good at seeing pictures in clouds, I think this is one I will struggle with! At the moment we just have total cloud cover, no blue bits to help make up a shape.

Linda said...

I'm with Amy - it's a surfer! Yes Rinda, you definately need some fun plans! How about some nice day trips? Are you near the beach?

Sian said...

I think it's a dancer.

I've got to admit that I'm a little envious now of the bucket lists with lots of little kid activities on them! "Make cookies" or "buy new colouring books" just doesn't cut it here anymore..

helena said...

love the extent of the up and down this week.

my summer intention this year is to take advantage of local markets, festivals, events as much as possible

scrappyjacky said...

You definately need to add in some fun things....I like Helena's suggestions...and may add them to my own list!
My summer break doesn't start for another month....and I've loads of work this term....so haven't made my summer plans yet....but am starting to take some fun online classes.

Miriam said...

I see shapes in the clouds almost every day, right up until you published the Scavenger Hunt! Yes you need some fun. How about planning some dates with your camera perhaps further afield or 'within a 15 minute drive' We have garden plans... but I have a few on line challenges. I absolutely love the scope of your two pictures and the colour of that sky is fabulous.

Karen said...

We've pretty much had our fun on our trip, but we've got a trip to Ithaca to the Farmer's Market planned for this weekend, some trips to the wineries (my brother is coming for a visit), and it looks like we'll be helping Adam and Sarah move (more to come). I'm looking forward to some heavy-duty creating and time in our gardens and on the patio!

Becky said...

Well I think that Henry can't be the only one to have some fun! You definitely need to add some fun things to your list too! We haven't got a list as I am working full time - although Hugh and I have a trip to Italy coming up and I have promised Penny that we will try and go out most Friday afternoons when I am not working and do something fun :)

Melissa said...

Great up & down photos - looks like a nice day to be working out in the yard.

We have some fun plans for the summer - my twin nieces will be visiting us next week, we're traveling to Tennessee for a week in July,and a Rangers game. Plus we have some things to complete around the house - re-do the front flowerbeds, organize/declutter a closet, (we've already cleaned/organized the garage).

Beverly said...

I am not much good at the "seeing things in clouds". I think our summer will be pretty quiet. Physically, mentally and financially the wedding took a lot so a few months of just being will be welcome. Of course that may change in a few weeks when I am no longer exhausted. Some ideas...make pickles, go to the farmer's market and buy 2 things you've never tried before and cook for dinner, take a picnic to the beach and watch the sunset...stay and watch the stars come out, go on pinterest and search summer crafts...do either the 7th, 17th or 47th one pinned :)

laurie said...

I have been thinking about making a list of things I want to do this summer and your post has inspired me to get it done! Mine will include drinking lots of iced chai lattes. :-)

Irene said...

Mermaid.

Boys are involved with a Community Theater this summer, (Scavenger Hunt Photo Item #2 - check.) Mathew is enrolled in a Summer Jazz Workshop and John plans on taking an elective class during the Summer II Semester. I am planning a weekend trip to Austin, if hubby can get the days off. Oh and somewhere in-between all that activity, I want to paint the wash room.

Lou said...

good luck with the garden. We have no plans for the summer...yet. Look forward to seeing what you get up too.

Sandie said...

Good luck with the garden project. I have several ideas for the summer, and plan another photo scavenger hunt with my grandchildren during the week we are on holiday. They loved my list last year.

Sandie said...

Oh... and of course I am doing your scavenger hunt!! I have finally got one or two photos, I am a slow started and not seeing many for my list. But I will catch up, a long time to go yet luckily!

The Mann Fam said...

I've seen all those summertime lists, too. Looks like you and I will be doing pretty much the same things - working full time and working in the yard when I can. I was just thinking yesterday what i would like to do this summer and I decided I'm going to try and squeeze in some fun reading and a few strolls on the beach and pier.

Andria said...

What a beautiful clear sky! I love the idea of a summer plan/ manifesto/ etc., and I've done that with activities and destinations for my girls and I in the past. I haven't gotten around to it this year. I think I worry about falling short of my plans!

Unknown said...

Yep, a surfer in a bikini :) The only clouds I have seen are rain clouds.

Flora said...

I totally see a surfer. That is so cool. I never seem to find anything in the clouds. :-) Thanks for including me in your post. Thanks to my family's bucket list, I am more excited about summer than ever before.

alexa said...

It is definitely a surfer! Hoping you can find time for some quiet sitting somewhere in some gentle sun after all your running efforts. ..

Tracy said...

Definitely a surfer!

Anonymous said...

I'm seeing a surfer. Seems like we're going from totally cloudy to no clouds this week. :) Yes you need to do some fun things. How about being a tourist in your own area? I like the sound of a picnic on the beach.