We all look forward to summer and those happy sounds created by children at home with ample time to play. But what about those other noises of summer -- gas powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers and chain saws?
Is it just me, or is it "noisier" this year? Are we all so caught up in keeping our grass short and our driveways free of stray vegetation that we are drowning out the happy noise?
I for one, have to take a step back, take a deep breath, and realize that a perfect yard with no weeds and entry walk with no dust or pruning scraps are hardly noticed by my kids. If I can relax more about the imperfections in my home and landscape, I do a better job creating a happy place for my kids to replenish. With teenagers, home is more like their watering hole now--a place they stop off and grace us with their presence before heading off again for work and friends.
I still get to enjoy the sound of lacrosse balls bouncing off the "bounceback" in the backyard, and basketballs bouncing on the aging sport court, which badly needs paint and pressure washing...
I plan to take more time sitting in my new REI outdoor concert and camp chair while enjoying the sounds of my neighbor boys running around the neighborhood with their nerf rifles and water guns, the skateboarders risking their lives coming down the steep hill . . . .
