Snippets of SnapDragon

Sweet Summer: It is making its slow, inevitable disappearance. And while I truly do enjoy all four seasons, I must admit I’m more than ready for fall. Bring on the cardigans; bring on the pumpkins. Let us north-easterners dry off our sweaty summer armpits and rejoice in the brisk autumn winds.

But Snap, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Summer ain’t over, yet!

True.

So, I suppose as these last three weeks of summer pass us by, I’ll reflect on how I’ve spent my June, July, and August.

(clears throat)

1. Mama Snappin’.

Our baby turned six months old in July. She’s so chilled out, yo. It’s really extraordinary how much a little human changes in six months’ time. She’s so much plumper and gigglier than the tiny, four-pound babydoll of pink she once was. But of course, she’s still friggin’ cute.

And, believe it or not, our son is on the cusp of turning three years old. (shakes head in disbelief) He’s running and playing and talking and singing and pretty much giving my back a run for its money at every turn. He too, is one happy little tike. (I’ve also watched Toy Story so many times that I have to hold back from writing a passionate post: a post about how unWoody-like the end of the 4th film is. My husband and I discuss this almost weekly.)

Anyway, the days click by as they always do, in a cycle of potty breaks, bottle feedings, and tripping over books and toys. I often forget when I last bathed. It’s a relentless, tiring joy. I do not sleep well—I’m not sure I ever have—but I relish each and every drop of it I get these days.

2. Lovin’ the Loungin’. It goes without saying that I do not have much down time. (See Item #1.) But the two hours or so at the end of the night are most definitely spent watching the tube.

–For All Mankind is definitely worth the watch. It’s a weirdly-satisfying mix of space exploration and heart. (Yes, I’ve cried.)

-The new season of Russian Doll. Umm. . . What. the. eff. It was so disappointing that we quit watching after Episode 3. What happened, Natasha? Season One was so good. This just feels. . . empty.

-And Only Murders in the Building? (hugs herself) It’s funny, and dumb, and brilliant at not taking itself too seriously. It’s the perfect end-of-the-day show to enjoy with a beer and salty snack. (And, for real: when do Steve Martin and Martin Short ever let us down?)

3. People Pleasin’. I was able to spend time with some important peeps this summer.

We visit with my sweet mom almost weekly. She fawns over her grandbabies, and is such a tremendous help just by being here. It’s Family Time, and I truly cherish the precious moments we have together, watching the kids grow.

I was also able to spend time with a few dear friends. Coffees and cocktails were had; a hangout in the RV with my best friend, watching Rocky II and philosophizing about post-pandemic life in America; Marco Polo messages; a cross-country road trip to Kansas and Colorado.

Friends are family, and family are friends.

4. Reflectin’ on Change.

I created this blog on an ordinary January day, three years ago. I didn’t really know what I was doing; I just knew I wanted to write. These past three years, Dear Reader, have been the hardest of my life.

I have struggled. I have experienced tremendous pain, both physically and emotionally. My personal and professional life have been through the wringer.

Yet here I am.

I recently took the time to reread every single one of my blog posts, as well as each comment. It was fun for a bit. Then repetitive. Then embarrassing, and back again.

As I read, I remembered every photo. I remembered the misunderstandings. The heartache.

The NICU. The pandemic. George Floyd’s murder.

Zoom meetings. Books and music. Another traumatic birth.

2019, 2020, and 2021.

Three years of snip-snappery that now define so much of who I am.

. . .

We’ve got four months left in 2022.

How will we spend them?

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer with wrinkled hands.

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