Hazy, Lazy

The weekend was crazy-beautiful: hot, humid, hazy ... all the things the preceding eight months were not. It was sunny and breezy and just all-around (HOT) gorgeous, so the tall man and I decided to have a few amigos over for a casual evening.

SO, last night six or seven brave souls ventured over in the evening to hang on the back patio and generally chill. There was a touch of the badminton and, of course, nibbles. We had crudite, chips, shrimp cocktail, radishes with sweet-cream butter & sea salt, and krispie treats. The gin and tonic bar was open, and a cooler full of pop and water and Mike's Hard Lemonade sat at the ready.

As twillight fell, bug spray was applied and chairs were brought out to the yard as we popped popcorn and passed jujubes in preparation for summer's first "Drive In," which we projected on the back side of the house. This year's season opener: the one, the only, the classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.

All in all, it was a lovely evening. Sitting out in the yard, sprayed with (un)scented OFF bug spray. reclining on the futon, watching my friends by the flickering light of projector, I took a moment to yet-again be grateful for everything I have. All the good, all the bad, has led me to this moment and place, and I am so blessed: all the friends, all the laughter, the food, the life, the enjoyment. As I sat there and watched the heat lightning in the distance, listening to my friends make snarky comments about the film, I was yet again reminded to be appreciative for the thousands of amazing things that are in my life every day. I am so grateful for it all, and for the renewed ability to appreciate it all more fully in each instant. It was wonderful, and I could not help but smile.

And then, moment acknowledged, I turned back to the screen to watch a giant killer tomato eat little Billy. Poor, poor little Billy.