The Dog Days

On summer vacation and slowing down.

It is HOT as we’re prepping for lake time with the extended fam. Heat warnings this week, wildfire smoke last week and the week before. We’ve been watching the forecasts, hoping that the weather cooperates and dystopia is kept at bay while we swim and boat and play with the sand.

Wildfire smoke is a new phenomenon here in the Ottawa area. Something we’ve seen happen in other places, like Cali and Australia, or even Alberta here in Canada, over the years. But to have it so close to home, to have air quality warnings cancel outside activities is a very new experience. I realize as I write this the incredible privilege from which I approach the entire topic. My concern is that a week off may be impacted, rather than the need to evacuate our home.

Vacation is funny - or rather, the way I mentally respond to vacation is funny. In the lead up, my mind is full of grand plans of all the fun I will have, all the relaxing I will do, all the people I will see:

The kids and I will go for long bike…