Yesterday was the solstice, meaning it is now summer. All my Oklahoma friends know how ridiculous this spring was in terms of weather. The May of Rain was followed by Tropical Storm Bill. For many, this meant flooded homes and washed out bridges, but for Abby and me, who live on a hilltop on our little patch, it has meant lush, green pastures and yards, unprecedented growth of our trees, and, sadly, failure in my vegetable garden.

I’ve been keeping up with the mowing. In drought years I often say I’d rather be mowing, and it’s true: I love it when I cut the grass in our yards. I maintain about a third of the seven acres where we live, and it looks like a golf course or a baseball outfield when I finish cutting it. It’s great to be outside where the air is fresh and life is abundant.

Abby got an inspiration the other day and bought a propane grill. We immediately set it up and cooked out. She skewered peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes, and roasted some potatoes in an aluminum pan. I grilled a couple of veggie dogs, and the only meat on the grill was two small chuck steaks for her. It was fun and everything tasted good, and it got her outside. I think we are planning to do it again tonight.

I hope I don’t talk too much about how much we love living in the country, but we do love it so.