It has been an unusually cool summer.  Unlike the Julys and Augusts of the last five years, I have only turned on the air conditioner once.   We've actually spent most of the days outside for a few hours.  It's been very... nice.

For Gus, he doesn't know any different.  This is his first summer of his life outside of a cage.  It's been a joy watching him discover cabbage moths and fireflies, happily investigating the yard and neighborhood.   Marshall is experiencing his first summer of long afternoon walks.  Last year it was so hot that walks usually only happened at night.  Even Ollie is experiencing a first of sorts as this is the first summer he is the gentle leader of their little pack.  He isn't just watching over his "little brother" and teaching him the basics of summer dog stuff.  Together, they are three adult dogs learning how to work together to enforce a very strict anti-squirrel policy.

 Each season is new.  

I find myself at a point where I am regularly comparing the present to the past:  the weather, how I react to things, how my political and social views have changed throughout different stages of my life.  While a certain amount of reflection is good, I am reminded of presence and purpose.   I am reminded to see energy as it ebbs and flows and time as equally as fluid.