July 2026

 

"The summer looks out from her brazen tower, through the flashing bars of July" - Francis Thompson

That line about "flashing bars of July" really struck me. This month has been pretty flashy—and I am not just talking about those 4th of July fireworks! Which, in true Oklahoma style, we interrupted statewide with MASSIVE and sometimes dangerous thunderstorms! In July, we have had severe weather warnings, tornado warnings, and SEVERAL heat advisory warnings! This summer has been unusually wet, and everything is overgrown! SO GREEN and pretty though. Unless you find yourself walking into an overgrown tree branch that is hanging down to the sidewalk while you walk the dog... But, I digress...

July was a fun one!  Lots of exciting things happening and fun to be had.  The month ended pretty differently than it started for a lot of us, and here are the highlights of what happened in between...

Week 1 (short) : July 1-4 -- We went to a really cool 250th birthday event at Henderson Hills Baptist Church where we got to learn about the history of our country as it related to the church, eat fun food, hang out with friends, and have an all-American kind of night. Very cool experience. I finished up another hoop project, got to wear my handcrafted USA shirt that a friend made for me, had family brunch at Neighborhood Jam in Midtown OKC (which included stops at "Dead People's Stuff" and the outlet mall), visited the new OKC Boot on Route 66, TRIED to go to a parade, and ended up at the movies instead. Visited Uncle Brian's grave, then went to Nana and Grandpa's for dinner and a show. However, the weather did not cooperate for fireworks, so we drove home in a downpour—watching other people's fireworks go off between lightning strikes! MEMORIES!

 

Also got a couple of 4th of July pics of these cuties!

 

And, Jack!

Week 2 : July 5-11 -- Jake was in Tulsa all week working a youth basketball camp, so we didn't see much of him.  Britt worked ESY this week as well, so it was a lot of Finn sleeping in late and Mom working from home... I did get to finally finish my bag chair from the Novel Idea Bookstore event last month -  turned out SO CUTE! 

 

Got a little news from this orange-haired girl:

And, Jack!

 

Week 3 : July 12-18 -- This week was a little busier.  We started the week off with church, then I hosted our neighborhood book club. First half ot the week was pretty typical; people had work, other people did not. We had a going-away dinner with Lara at Ted's, I had my 1:1 with my boss while Finn and his friends were at the neighborhood pool, and I got a new "toy." Jack supervised... a lot...

 

 

 

 

Then, mid-week - we headed up to Joplin, Missouri for "Southern Kickoff" at Missouri Southern State University with Jake.  It was their enrollment and orientation day.  He got to meet some freshman teammates, get his ID, learn about campus, and all the green and gold things.  We went up Tuesday evening, stayed the night, and came back on Wednesday evening.  Quick trip, but it was fun!

   

 

Ended the week with a terrible headache and a slight mental breakdown, but the light was starting to brighten and things were moving...

And, Jack!

Week 4 : July 19-25 -- Jake was in Colorado for a week-long trip with a bunch of his high school buddies.  He was kind enough to send pics - AND we got a postcard a few days after he got home!

 

 

Finn and I installed another little home improvement project - a better thermostat - doors opened, God showed up, and I got a little sassy....

And, Jack!

Week 5 : July 26-31 -- We played with Finn's camera after church one day (more on that later), Jake babysat Jack, I had drinks with a friend, went to the second meeting of my new book club, got Jake his sports physical for Joplin, and FINN! Finn went to "Husky Huddle" with a couple of his buddies. This was his freshman orientation day—they toured their school, learned about clubs, made new friends, got pizza, and a T-shirt. And Finn was asked, "Hey! Aren't you Jake's little brother???" He had hoped that would hold out at least a few days, but I told him, "Hey—at least the first one is out of the way, right?" He said it was boring, but I am sure he picked up a few useful things along the way!  We also got good news from Lara as she got a job in Kansas City and a pic of her U-Haul all packed up! And a little date with Jake for gas, school supplies, and super glue....  

 

 

 

And, Jack!