I don’t know what you people listened to when you were preschoolers, but my preschool years were filled with a lot of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac. Even today, if mom and I are feeling nostalgic, we might sing a fun rendition of “People Are Strange” or maybe “Iron Man.” Janis Joplin was another staple of my youth, and I’ve been listening to her a lot the last couple weeks. The thing about music you listen to when you’re very young is that it becomes part of the tapestry of your existence, and you have to make a point to stop and listen to really hear it again, and I’ve been hearing Janis. She does kind of insist that you listen.

To me, summer feels both in full swing and like it’s almost gone. In many ways, I’m like that child Janis sings to, safe and protected amid all my changes. In others, the living’s not so easy. Today, I’m going to work on my future–getting the house ready for an open house tomorrow, doing some writing, taking care of things that need taking care of. Then tonight, I’m going to go to Tammy’s and drink margaritas while we hang out on her new patio. My favorite part of summer is hanging around outside with my dear ones while the day turns to night, talking and laughing and enjoying the sounds and stars and cooler air. We haven’t done enough of that, and there’s so much to talk about. But work is good, too, and a little bit of struggle. I don’t suppose I’ll ever completely get the hang of life, but I love it anyway.