I have had one of the best months ever.  Even though traveling and partying required jumping through a number of hoops to accomplish my goals, the adventure clearly made up for the aggravation and stress.

1.  Travel to Iceland. Charlie, Sug, and I traveled to Iceland for a week and had the adventure of a lifetime, including multiple viewings of the Northern Lights.
   

   We had a wonderful guide who taught us just what to look for.

2. Work on a project: I changed the baseboard behind the sofa from a slim profile to one with more dimension and weight.  Small projects really mess up a room and take just as many tools and techniques as larger endeavors.  Or so it seems.
   

   Baseboard behind sofa has been updated.

3.  Masked party.  We had a mysterious evening around the fire pit.
   

   Charlie and I, like most guests, wore masks to our party.

   Everyone came ready to party.

4.  See a movie:  No Time to Die. Bond, James Bond.  This movie kept me on the edge of my seat right from the start. Gorgeous vistas of Italy and Jamaica with a quick side visit to Havana, Cuba reminded me of why I love to travel.
5.  Read a book: The End of October by Lawrence Wright. I really, really enjoyed this well-researched novel about a global pandemic that makes COVID seem tame.
   

   The End of October was written in 2017!!

6.  List Halloween costumes for quick sale.  The fully unique, comfortable, and handmade costumes were listed but not sold.  I guess next year I’ll be more proactive to find just the right wearer.
   

   Once upon a time, my little knight even carried her ladyship’s token in his belt.

7.  Shred old documents.  Another tall stack of old papers are shredded and recycled.  While I won’t list this as a task every month I will continue to whittle down the pile.
8.  Autumnize the mantel.
   

   This simple mantel should carry us through Thanksgiving.

   Some bronze, some pumpkins, and the Red Wing stag all say fall is in the air.  Asters are from our garden.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ADVENTURE.
10. Write a goal list for November, 2021.

Jo

We have been waiting over a year for this October.  Here are my plans:

1.  Travel to Iceland.
   

   Reynisfjara black sand beach is on our agenda.

2. Work on a project: Install trim at The Glade.
   

   I want to update the baseboard behind the sofa in the living room.

3.  Have a masked party.
   

   I have my masque.

4.  See a movie:  No Time to Die
5.  Read a book: The End of October. 
6.  List Halloween costumes for quick sale.
   

   Pirate . . . argh!!!!

7.  Shred old documents.
8.  Autumnize the mantel.
   

   I haven’t focused on the mantel or the living room for a long time.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ADVENTURE.
10. Write a goal list for November, 2021.

Jo

September always seems like a new start — probably because it traditionally begins the school year.  Charlie and  I were married in September, the month that still feels like summer without the high heat and humidity.

In addition to the numbered list below I accomplished a few extra tasks:

• Had minor eye surgery which turned out to be not a big deal.
• Began 2 group studies.
• Had some dermatological work done.

1.  Celebrate wedding anniversary.  Charlie and I wore our “Charlie and Jo” pins after declaring the day to be our special day.
   

   Our eponymous pins.

2. Work on a project:  shore house bed nook.  The nook is totally built, painted, and papered.
   

   The nook is finished except for a few cosmetic items.

3.  Throw a party.  We had another lawn party.  This time we used it to celebrate our anniversary.
   

   Any excuse to have a party is good for us.

4.  See a movie:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel . I enjoyed this movie immensely, so much so that I watched the sequel, The Second Best Marigold Hotel.  The second one might have been even better than the first.
   

   Loved it!!

   I checked both movies out from my local public library.

5.  Read a book:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.   While the book was good, I enjoyed the stories and stars of the films more.
6.  Collect all sporting equipment and sell or give away. My son was delighted to get the sports equipment.  It was immediately put into use for having fun.
   

   Bats, balls, and bike rack heading to a new home.

7. Make reservations and collect documents for Iceland trip.
   

   We have reservations on Day 1 to relax at the Blue Lagoon and to search for the Aurora Borealis.

8. Research slipcover makers in the area. I’m hoping to use a local shop to make slipcovers for my bergère chairs in the living room.
   

   I have 2 chairs that I would like to have slipcovered.

   I think I’ve found a skilled craftsman, now I just need to find fabric and get a quote.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RENAISSANCE.
10. Write a goal list for October, 2021.

Jo

September always seems like a new start — probably because it traditionally begins the school year.  Charlie and  I were married in September, the month that still feels like summer without the high heat and humidity.

1.  Celebrate wedding anniversary.
2. Work on a project:  shore house bed nook.  Paint and paper.
   

   Hope to finish soon.

3.  Throw a party.
   

   We decided to recreate the Lawn Party with a new cast and color scheme.

4.  See a movie:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel . 
   

   I need an exotic getaway.

5.  Read a book:  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 
6.  Collect all sporting equipment and sell or give away.
   

   Balls hang overhead in the shed — unnecessary.

7. Make reservations and collect documents for Iceland trip.
8. Research slipcover makers in the area.
   

   I would like to have white slipcovers made for my matching bergère chairs in the living room.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: RENAISSANCE.
10. Write a goal list for October, 2021.

Jo

August turned out to be a productive and fun month.  Even the weather cooperated.

It was supposed to rain the afternoon of our party but it never happened. Yea!!

Although the Delta strain of Covid is running rampant and I’m  wearing a double mask again I have reintroduced some fun activities back into my schedule.

• I’ve seen some movies at the local theatre:  Jungle Cruise, The Green Knight, Free Guy.
• I whitened my teeth. (Really a pointless task since I wear a mask everywhere I go.)
  

  Even my avatar is masked.

• I went out to dinner with friends.
• I made some flowered pillow covers.
  

  I made slip-on covers for throw pillows.

I am committed to lightening my possessions and clearing the clutter.

1. Get a haircut.  I made an appointment on the 4th of the month for the 27th.  It was the first haircut I’ve had since February, 2020.  Happy to have a little style back in the old tresses.
2. Work on a cool project:  pond at the shore house.
   

   The orangish plants are bulrushes.

3. Al fresco get-together.
   

   Croquet party with a photobomb by Rory.

4.  See a movie: The Long, Hot Summer. A vintage movie with young Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward based loosely on the book in item 5 on this list.  I really enjoyed it.
   

   Orson Welles as Will Varner in The Long Hot Summer and, of course, Paul Newman.

   Orson Welles was a treat.

5.  Read a book:   The Hamlet by William Faulkner.  Faulkner seemed so complex while I was reading the winding story.  In the end I’ve been enlightened and entertained and, at times, horrified.
6.  Get rid of 20 books.
   

   I left a few novels in a local “Take a book; leave a book” Little Free Library.

7. Repair shingle on east side of house.
   

   Before

   

   After

8. Paint trim on round window.
   

   Painted and protected.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: COMMITMENT .
10. Write a goal list for September, 2021.

Jo

Whew! August!! The dog days!!!

While I’m not trying to tax myself in what is usually a very hot month, I have added some tiny tasks to my list that need to be finished.  I am committed to lightening my possessions and clearing the clutter.

1. Get a haircut.
2. Work on a cool project:  pond at the shore house.
   

   Hoping to follow suggestions to clear the pond water.

3. Al fresco get-together.
   

   Invitations will go out in emails early in the month.

4.  See a movie: The Long, Hot Summer. 
5.  Read a book:   The Hamlet by William Faulkner.
6.  Get rid of 20 books.
   

   I’m reading then letting go some books that adorn my bedroom shelves.

7. Repair shingle on east side of house.
8. Paint trim on round window.
   

   The exterior trim of round window in the conservatory bathroom needs priming and painting.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: COMMITMENT .
10. Write a goal list for September, 2021.

Jo

Whew! July is a celebration of summer from the very beginning of the month. In Maryland it’s hot and sultry.  Thankfully we are partially air-conditioned and have kept our cool.

In addition to the numbered items below:

• I made reservations for breakfast, transportation, spa, and tour for our first scheduled day in Iceland this fall.
  

  The plan is to have breakfast under the Viking ship.

  Hope the entry requirements don’t change again.

• I cleared up and cleaned up the prep sink in our kitchen.
  

  The sink and counter are tranquil again.

• I cleaned the front porch and Charlie cleaned the porch rain gutters.
• 
  The front porch gutters are no longer full of leaves.

Here are the results of the “official” July list:

1.  Celebrate the 4th of July!!
   

   Our American flag hangs on the side porch.

   Having given our American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to its rightful owner, our son, we flew an authorized former version with 48 stars.

2. Work on a project:  Finish master closet edging.
   

   Even the shoe towers have been finished with iron-on edging tape.

   Finished — at last!!

3.  Shred all income tax returns pre-2011. The machine overheated a few times but 10 years of tax returns are now ribbons of nothing.
4.  See a movie:  Summertime.  This classic from 1955 stars Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi and takes place in a Venice not so different from the one we visited in 2019.
   

   Much of the movie takes place in Piazza San Marco.

   If you’re looking for romance — this is it.

5.  Plan a post-COVID party.
   

   Get Your Game On.

   I have come up with a socially distanced idea which I will implement next month.

6.  Read a book:  The Summer Book by Tove Jansson is set in Finland but could take place in summer anywhere by the sea.
7.  See a play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
   

   The setting for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

   Instead of traditional fireworks on July 4th we went to an outdoor performance at the Olney Theatre performed by the National Players.

8.  See eye doctor and skin doctor.  Eyes can see very well but need a minor repair and skin is clear of any problems .
9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: FREEDOM.
10.  Write a goal list for August, 2021.

Jo