edgar got me up at 2.30 this morning. barking at the sounds of night in the backyard through the open window. i didn't fall asleep again until 4.30, and then he was up again at 5.15. he was just restless and wanted to go outside. so i came out with him and slept for 4 delightful hours swaying under quilts on the porch swing. it was wonderful. he woke me up a few times barking, but the birds and the squirrels and the twitter of the leaves with the scent of peonies and climbing roses and honey locust trees all lulled me right back to sleep. and when i was finally awake for the day i lay on the swing watching wave after wave of mist float into the garden. at first i was worried the studio was on fire. and then maybe our very own house, because it was as dense as smoke. but it was a soft pale mist blowing past in waves. what a lovely way to wake up. and although i imagine it will be a groggy day, i loved the way it started.
oh yes, writing this made me forget that 1/2 an hour ago, stella and floyd brought a snake into the living room that is now in our cold air return vent. the drama of the day has begun!!!!

an amazing evening of spontaneity. our beloved neighbors gathered on the porch, with a fire and hockey playoffs. loveliness doesn't come any more wonderful than this night. tom brought a tv out to the porch and streamed the hockey game. we cuddled under quilts on the porchswing. the fire was smoky enough to keep the mosquitoes away. the boys sat in chairs on the grass, intent on the hockey and tending the fire. and i felt so very canadian. naomi fell asleep with the swaying of the swing. and we had the stars on. we made plans and talked about our hopes and fears, like we always do. and ultimately we felt the happiness of sitting under the gray night sky together.

last night was lovely. we swayed on the porch swing in our own glowy little world. tom kept nursing our fire with little sticks, keeping it alive despite the rain soaked wood we were using. clouds of smoke kept the mosquitoes away. edgar kept his eye on everything from his bed beside us. and the cats were off on little hunts in the grass. chasing each other and whatever else they set their sights on. floyd kept dashing up trees just for the fun of it. and running back down again just as quickly. he's almost like a squirrel. when it grew dark, tom turned the stars on.....the lights in the porch ceiling that still make me a little giddy with happiness after 11 years. it was a good night. and this morning when i let edgar out the kitchen door into the yard, the damp, rainy morning air still smelled smoky.

it is barbecue season. and yesterday was a marvelous gathering. i love when our house is teeming with people. the yard full of neighbors and children and cats and fabulous food and beer and laughter and conversation. the boys playing chasing games and soccer and basketball. with a huge tent in the back of the yard just for fun.toddlers and babies and our lovely friend with her baby still curled in her belly. swaying on the porch swing covered with quilts. it was such a perfect evening, all of us a little drunk with summer. when the sun fell and the bats began to fly the air chilled and we built a smoky fire with damp wood. another magical portsmouth village night. and unbeknownst to any of us, our beautiful pregnant neighbor spent the last evening of her pregnancy with us. and today we have another village baby.