Although I know it’d be terribly cliché to say “how about this heat wave, huh?”- I mean, really- how about this heat wave, huh? New England is heading into day three of scorching hot temperatures this week- although it looks like we may get a little relief (and a little rain!) with the arrival of July tomorrow morning.
I’m excited for the month ahead- not only because I have plans to see longtime friends that I’ve only been able to video call with for the past year+ since this pandemic began- but also because July comes with some highly anticipated travel plans, some much-overdue pampering- and plenty of cookouts and backyard BBQs on the schedule!
I’m also going to be returning to my office for the first time since March of 2020 a little later on in the month- which I’m sure is going to be a bit strange and surreal and will undoubtedly take some getting used to- but even I have to admit it’ll be fun to wear dressier clothes again!
But before I get too far ahead of myself here, respects must be paid to June- especially to June of 2021- which was the first one I’ve had in many. many years that didn’t have a little dark cloud of misfortune hanging over it from beginning to end (I wrote about my “June Gloom” of years’ past last year, funnily enough!)
I kicked off this month while recovering from my impromptu trip to Nevada at the very end of May before I was diving right back into day trips throughout New England- including to historic cottages in Connecticut and Newport, Rhode Island. I actually returned to Rhode Island a second time this past month to stock up on some of my absolute favorite frozen lemonade in the Northeast.
June saw me embracing my own backyard here in the Pioneer Valley, too- with successful berry picking and commemorating Father’s Day by showing my mom and my dog around some of my favorite locations and breathtaking views of the Summer scenery.
I returned to some of my favorite restaurants in June for the first time since before the pandemic started- and got to see a movie in theaters for the first time in over a year, as well (it was a packed midnight screening of “Cats” and it was absolutely insane in the best way possible!)
I also took some time to check in with myself earlier this month and revisit the goals I had set for 2021. It was an affirming look back- and I’m heading into the second half of the year feeling optimistic and confident in both myself and my abilities to keep moving towards what I want and where I ultimately want to be in my life.
I’m so beyond grateful that these past few weeks have been filled with so much fun, family and friends- it was so refreshing- and I am absolutely ready to savor the hot and hazy days ahead.
But I’m going to spend just a little while longer in front of my air conditioner, first- of course!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 