The internet at the lake isn't exactly the most advanced. I've been feeling a bit disconnected, which used to stress me out, but I have to tell you, when you're where I am right now, it's really not too bad. Some days I only turn my computer on to chat with Rob or work on my paper, and that's fine with me.

Here's some of what I've been up to lately:

1. Iced coffee and reading at Mill Mountain.

2. Trying to make water more fun by adding fruit and herbs to it.

3. Self-portraits? Sure!

4. More reading. This book ended up being unhelpful but is so lovely.

5. Hanging out by the pool.

6. Afternoon espresso. Love those baby cups.

I've also been working my ass off at CrossFit this week, but you don't get a picture of that because it happens early in the morning and then I get really sweaty.

You can follow along on Instagram if you want! My username is @megan_flynn.

I came across five or six of these little old soup cans situated on a table on our back porch the other day and I've found myself mindlessly visiting, touching, and photographing them ever since. The plants are small and soft, the cans tall and slim, but rusted and much older. 

There's something about them that I like--maybe it's their size, but there's something resilient about them and the way they are sprouting up even though we sometimes over-water them and then leave them out all day in the blazing Virginia heat.

Rosemary, parsley, basil, oregano, some peppers, and thyme.

Plants simply growing where they are planted is not nearly a work of magic, I know, but it's little tiny things like this that make me stop and feel thankful to be part of this world. To feel the sun beat down on me, to walk barefoot in the grass. To appreciate the texture and color of an old can. To find hope in tiny roots and warm, wet soil--little pots of potential.

[Lime, cilantro, and habaneros: the start of a damn good summer salsa, taken May 2012.]

Memorial Day weekend at the lake is the start of a wonderful thing.

Margaritas are shaken and poured into frosty glasses, barbecue and fresh salads are piled high onto paper plates, fireflies glitter as the sun goes down, and marshmallows are roasted for s'mores over camp fires in the backyard. 

Here's what I've been up to already:

--a lot of walking around barefoot

--wearing sunscreen, not makeup

--a long bike ride and an omelet for breakfast

--sitting in our home office with a stack of books

--drinking icy water from big jars with lemon

At the risk of boring some of my old friends, I thought I'd share some recent posts that mostly sum up this journey so far:

That day I quit my job.

Some thoughts on moving again. 

On finding one's way home.

Rob made it safely to China and I'm here for the summer with my family, feeling very well-fed, extra-freckled, and thankful.