because the Pacific Ocean sweeps along the coastline because the water of the ocean is cold and because land is better than ocean
because I say we rather than they
because I live in California I have eaten fresh artichokes and jacaranda bloom in April and May
because my senses have caught up with my body my breath with the air it swallows my hunger with my mouth
because I walk barefoot in my house
because I have nursed my son at my breast because he is a strong American boy because I have seen his eyes redden when he is asked who he is because he answers I don’t know
because to have a son is to have a country because my son will bury me here because countries are in our blood and we bleed them
because it is late and too late to change my mind because it is time.
Do you feel the pull of summer on your goals and motivation? That beckoning to abandon your chores and just come out and play, like that neighbor kid when you were little? It’s not that I have let go of my goals, but the pressure to accomplish, strive, and go, go, go just seems to have eased a bit with the warm weather. I’m guessing the extended daylight lulls us into believing we have all the time in the world, so why not relax a bit more?
Podcasts
That is why I am forever indebted to and full of admiration for the people I look to as mentors. Among them: Rachel Hollis, Jenna Kutcher, Brendon Burchard, Jen Hatmaker, and Seth Godin. These people consistently put out great content no matter the time of year. Yes, they have people helping them behind the scenes, but still, they make stuff happen. Here’s some of what they’ve been making lately:
If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you will want to read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. I’m only halfway through this book, somewhere in the mid-seventies, and it is crazy to read about how he did business and that he even stayed in business. This man had courage and boldness, that is for sure! I’m listening to it on audiobook.
Ok, but since it’s summer, here are a few for fun recommendations. Sometimes you need to take a break so you can come back stronger.
Stranger Things 3 is now available on Netflix. Alan and I can’t wait to binge watch!
Summer seems like a good time of year for mysteries, so here are a few I’m reading this summer:
Thin Air by Ann Cleeves. Set in Shetland in midsummer, a woman goes missing during a wedding celebration. What happened to her and who on the island is a murderer?
The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves is a mystery set in a remote, quiet place called Valley Farm. A young ecologist is found dead in a lonely spot.
Season 6 of Endeavor on PBS. (I’ve watched the original Morse series, the Inspector Lewis series, and Endeavor is just as addicting.)
That’s it for this week! Have a great holiday weekend.
Life of Kim 