June

I can't believe it is already a week into June. This is probably terribly egocentric of me, but June has always been one of my favorite months. I'd like to think it isn't just because it is the month that happens to contain my birthday...but I might be wrong. June signals change--the school year is winding down, summer is well on its way, I don't know, it just seems to be about freedom and possibility. There is something symmetrical about June. Not just the four letters, but the Gemini-ness of it too. The mercurial weather of May is fading, but there isn't that weariness of sunshine that comes in August.
In any case, June in New York is, well, so far, it is quite lovely. We have had some hot days, but those are soothed by the shade trees in Central Park and the fountains that have been turned on in all the playgrounds. And also by the persistent hum of our air conditioner, which I must confess is already on much of the day.
I saw a firefly in the park last week and I was beside myself with childlike joy. I adore fireflies. The racoons are everywhere. I stood with several others watching a whole family of them snuffle through the leaves looking for food. There was a turtle in a pond and I have been seeing red birds--are these cardinals? The nooks in the park are an absolute delight. I especially love taking long walks with Banchi in the early evening and really covering some ground.
We got out of the City on the weekend--went to Chatham, NJ to see Chris Thile with his new band. It was interesting, in several regards. Firstly, it was great to have a car again, (since we haven't had one since we left Florida at the end of March), but we realized after about 1/2 hour sitting in traffic that a car in Manhattan is more of a liability than a freedom enhancer. It was shocking how little time it took before the kids were complaining about being in the car. Once we cleared the Lincoln Tunnel and navigated what must be the most confusing freeways in the world on the edge of NJ, we started to see trees and communities and little suburbs. And oh how inviting they looked with their backyards and garages and square footage. The little barbecue grills on the porches, which were also filled with things that are supposed to be on porches, and not in your living room. So this is why people commute to the City. Hmmmm, very interesting.
The show was great, it was in a church and we were in the 3rd row, so it was really cool to see Chris up close. We even got to meet him afterward. The people sitting in front of us were friendly and we chatted, and they ended up winning the raffle tickets to this folk festival in upstate NY in July, and since they already have tickets they gave their tickets to us. It is a 4-day camping event, and one of my favorites (Dar Williams) will be playing there, so I am most excited. It made me realize too, how incredibly ignorant of the surrounding area I am. Like I didn't realize that Pennsylvania was right there.
Back to the City, we have been finding more of a groove--have joined a couple group things with NYCHEA, the homeschool organization. Like tonight went to see their production of Midsummer Night's Dream. I was really impressed. It was long and professional, and full of kids, from age 4 to 18. We really like the playgroup that meets weekly at a park--there are lots of girls Maya's age, and some boys the same age as Jonah, although he is in a funny social stage and only has eyes for Maya when out and about. We also attended their annual "field day" with the soccer group--that was fun and we plan to play soccer when it starts again in the fall.
Brett finished his Florida projects and is now in the office phase of a much smaller NJ project. He was in the field for a week (that was why we had access to a car) and by next week will be in the field for another local project.
No big plans for the weekend...maybe selling more books to The Strand and finding a Goodwill where we can unload more boxes of junk that we are tired of tripping over.