What I Learned This Summer

My girls have been back to school for almost two weeks now, and I’ve spent much of that time getting caught up, organized and settled—mentally as well as physically.

The work is ongoing—when you’ve been shoving stuff in cabinets and running off to the next thing for months, it takes a while to find a new rhythm. Not to mention a new purpose, although right now, I’m comfortable with taking life one day at a time and praying for God to direct my steps (as He’s done so faithfully more times than I can count).

When my dad died in late May, any halfhearted plans I may have had to post a 2019 edition of “What I Learned This Spring” fell by the wayside. And now suddenly it’s already the end of August—the end of another season. This time, though, I’ve actually been looking forward to sharing a few lessons from the summer.

I’ve been jotting down thoughts as they come to me and currently have about a dozen new blog posts just waiting to be fleshed out more fully in the coming weeks. But today is not the day for processing—not much, anyway.

Today we talk about shoes. And mashed potatoes. And Uno. Without further ado, here’s what I learned this summer.

• How to play Spicy Uno.

When the relatives came to town for my mom’s funeral in April, one set of cousins taught the rest how to play Spicy Uno—a version of the popular card game that bends and adds rules to make the competition much more exciting, especially when there are eight teenagers playing on the round table in the breakfast nook.

When we were on vacation in Alaska last month, the girls taught me and Randy how to play Spicy Uno too. And I have to say—it’s far more interesting than the original game, even when you are the unfortunate beneficiary of six Draw Two cards played one on top of the other.

• Buying running shoes from a running-shoe store is a good investment.

Although I’m pretty frugal, I’ve learned over the years that my body thanks me when I invest money in good shoes. Still, I’ve resisted the urge to follow the advice I’ve seen online that says you should always buy running shoes at stores that specialize in running shoes. Why spend all that money when you can get the same brand at Kohl’s for half as much?

Turns out, you really do get what you pay for. I don’t run marathons; I run on a 20-year-old treadmill in my basement laundry room. But the New Balance shoes I finally decided to purchase from the specialty shop are not like the ones from the big-box store. They have been worth every additional dollar; I just wish I had bought them sooner.

• Speaking of footwear, if you like blingy shoes, you should buy blingy shoes.

I’m not super flashy, but I’m a sucker for a nice patch of rhinestones. That said, while I like a little bling on eyeglasses, rings and even slip-on sneakers, I’ve never been spontaneous (or maybe brave) enough to actually buy shoes caked with rhinestones.

Until recently, that is. I was at a consignment shop a couple of weeks ago when I saw a pair of glittery silver Sketchers that looked like they had never been worn. Instead of passing them up like I usually do, I happily plunked down $19 and took them home.

You only live once, I told myself. You might as well do it with some sparkle on your feet. 

• Some methods of making mashed potatoes are better than others. 

I’m always looking for ways to keep from making a mess on my stovetop, so a few weeks ago, I decided to try preparing mashed potatoes in the microwave. I found directions online that seemed pretty reasonable and gave it a go. I don’t know what I did wrong, but the heavy, gluey result was so bad I don’t have the heart to try again. I’ll stick to the stovetop, despite the mess that always ensues when the pot boils over.

On a happier note (at least for my self-esteem as a cook), the next time I made mashed potatoes, I ran out of milk and decided make up the difference using buttermilk. And all I can say about this little experiment is, “Why did I not think of this sooner?”

• You can grow avocados at home (theoretically, at least). 

My daughter Molly is never one to shy away from trying projects she finds on Pinterest. That’s why right now, our dining-room table is home to two avocado seeds in cups that she hopes will germinate and turn into plants.

Will it work, or will it not? I guess we’ll find out—in a few weeks if the seeds sprout, and then maybe in three years when such plants are supposed to start producing fruit.

• • •

How about you? Feel free to share what you learned this summer or—if you prefer—your thoughts about Spicy Uno, rhinestones, expensive running shoes, microwaved mashed potatoes or growing avocados at home when buying them at the grocery store is much faster.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Emily Freeman, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Let’s Have Coffee, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.

Photos of blingy shoes by Lilly Flowers.