Halcyon Days

Halcyon: [hal-see-uhn] –adjective 
1. calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather.
2. rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace.
3. happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.

These are halcyon days - days of simple pleasures, rich conversations, and the peace that comes from slowing down and really enjoying your surroundings and activities.  These days are so healing to my too-often over-worked brain and stressed-out soul.

I love swimming in the lake.  There's a buoy way out in the lake and I swim out to it most days.  There's nothing like reading or chatting on the deck in the sun until you're just so hot you can't stand it anymore, then heading into that wonderfully cool water for a nice long swim. And after the swim, it's heavenly to dry in the sun - to feel each little hair on my arms and legs pop up as it dries, to feel my body go from shivery cold to toasty warm over the course of a 1/2 hour or so.

While I still can't say I love running very much, I do love the feeling of accomplishment it gives me and those moments when a great song comes on and I get a burst of energy and feel like a real runner as a conquer a hill at a good pace.  And I love indulging in great food and tasty treats with the calorie deficit running gives me on my side.

I love that I've had a chance to read almost a whole book here.  Reading a good book is such a pleasure to me.  And reading that good book while enjoying the warm sun and gentle breeze while my kids happily play on the beach in front of me is extra pleasurable.  I'm almost done with the book "Half Broke Horses" and it makes me think of my tough strong school-teacher grandma who raised my mom and her sister here in this unforgiving farming country much like the heroine in the book who is the grandmother of the author.  I've been reading the book during the day and telling my kids the story of the book as I tuck them in at night.  I love telling my kids stories - especially a rich good story I'm uncovering in a book I'm reading.

And I love being outside so much and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us here.  We've had breathtaking storms roll in that bring out vivid colors all around and sometimes result in a brilliant rainbow.

And the sunsets.  You just can't beat the sunsets here.

Most evenings, as we finish a late and tasty dinner after a long day of work and play together, someone calls out "wow - look at the sunset" and everyone goes out on the deck to watch the colors of the lake and sky go brilliant.  God creates a new, dynamic masterpiece for us every night.

Halcyon days.  I love these halcyon days.