Mine is the Month of Roses; Yes, and mine
The Month of Marriages! All pleasant sights
And scents, the fragrance of the blossoming vine,
The foliage of the valleys and the heights.
Mine are the longest days, the loveliest nights;
The mower’s scythe makes music to my ears;
I am the mother of all dear delights;
I am the fairest daughter of the year.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Mr. Longfellow’s beautiful description of the month of June is missing a few things.
June brings us to graduations and Summer vacation. Graduates proudly don their caps and gowns. Children everywhere have been unleashed from their daily grind and freed from the scrutiny of teachers and obligation of their studies. How will your children be filling the void? Is the break for Summer too long, too short, or just right? It’s always too fast for me. Summer seems to be over in the blink of an eye. Share your feelings in our poll: Are School Summer Vacations Too Long?
Do you have a graduate in your family? Tell us of your pride and reminisce with us of graduations past in Throwback Thursday’s – Looking Back At Graduation.
Are you a Candy Crusher? It’s a good time to start as June is National Candy Month. The game is hit and has been sweeping Facebook. How many hours have you spent playing? In a conflict of our eating desires, it’s also the month we celebrate Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. They can put a man on the moon, but they can’t invent a way for candy to be grown in the garden? I long for a bush of Hershey Kisses next to the tomato plants. Until that day, check out the fun of owning your own cotton candy machine and be sure to try the best ever veggies and potatoes recipe the next time you fire up the grill.
It’s National Adopt a Cat Month. If your heart is open and you have the time and money, think about giving a needed home. I was ahead of schedule by a few days. We have a new little furry friend named Simba that has joined our family. While I have always considered myself more a dog person, I have fallen in love. Give your cat a hug and extra treat on the 4th as it’s Hug Your Cat Day. The secret life of outdoor cats was revealed in What Your Cat Doesn’t Want You To Know.
Sewing has become a dying art. There was a time when there was a sewing machine in every house on the block. Some mothers were excellent seamstresses and some of our clothes….well, they were made with love. The sewing machine came to the US in the mid 1800’s and June 13th is Sewing Machine Day. Let us know if you’re handy with the electric needle and thread and how often you sew. Snicker’s told us of an even older art and how she became a scrappy quilter. While her quilts are hand-sewn, anyone who crafts will find The Season For Quilting an enjoyable read.
We honored our mothers in May and now it’s dad’s turn. Father’s Day is June 16th. Read Pam’s tribute to her wonderful father and IW contributor, Emil, in our IW classic of the month Happy Birthday Dad.
As we moved into June, World MS Day took place on May 29th. Did you know that MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young people? Dreams: My Journey With Multiple Sclerosis is the new memoir of singer/songwriter Kristie Salerno Kent. In it, Kristie writes of her struggle with denial after her diagnosis and how she came to achieve her dreams. Thank you Kristie for sharing and bringing awareness in Dreams: My Journey With Multiple Sclerosis.
June 29th is Hug Day. We’d like to give a big one to the victims of the recent tornadoes that have tragically struck the Midwest. Our hearts go out to you.
As always, grab your coffee, tea or wine and feel free to discuss what’s on your mind. Share your celebrations or tears and don’t forget to enter our latest giveaways!
Lily Doe has written for ImperfectWomen.com since 2009. She has never been shy about sharing her opinion and enjoys writing on a variety of topics. Her life’s focus is sharing good times with family and friends.
Chardonnay says
June 1, 2013 at 2:46 pmGreat post, Lily! I didn’t realize that June had so many “special days”. I don’t know about summer break, but summer in general is way too short!!! Why can’t winter fly by as fast?
Pam@IW says
June 1, 2013 at 2:49 pmHappy June to everyone. Boy the first of May was just here and boom, it was gone.
I don’t have any graduations to go to but I do have a retirement party to attend. June is also the month of retirees in the School system, LOL.
snickers says
June 1, 2013 at 7:48 pmI love spring right until the first flakes of snow fall. June is the growing month for new flowers planted to enjoy enjoy until the nip of frost hits their bright green foilage. Corn and beans fields are being planted, a month to thank the farmers for their hard work that helps feed the world, sweet corn has risen from the seed, waiting for hot July sun to have a bountiful harvest. Gardens are lush from the rains and cool temps, lawnmowers seem to be running at all hours of the day.
Kids riding bikes, swimming, Little League baseball and softball for the gals, keeps the lights on in small towns, the smell of popcorn in the air. Showers, weddings and graduations are fun times to catch up with family, neighbors, and friends.
I wish everyone a happy and fun filled summer, enjoy vacations, a good book (my Kindle is full from Jenn), or just doing what you want to do!
Please continue to pray for all the tornado victims, my sister and her family will not rebuild their home, looking at moving to another home in the same area. I cringe to think she wants to stay around there, but after many years, that is home to her.
krystel says
June 1, 2013 at 7:58 pmwow those roses are beautiful
JennieIW says
June 1, 2013 at 9:05 pmNational Adopt a Cat month? That means that I *have* to adopt a cat, right? Even though I currently have 4 and a half cats? I mean, if I HAVE to….
Pam@IW says
June 1, 2013 at 9:07 pmLily, congratulations on your new addition to the family. So adorable! I love cats too but one son has a really bad allergy so we have never adopted one.
snickers, I was thinking of your family last night with all of the chaos that was going on down there. I am glad they are safe. There were several small tornadoes that touched down by my parents this week. Lots of trees down and campers overturned but no injuries, thankfully.
Pam@IW says
June 1, 2013 at 9:08 pmJennie,
I think it is a law, isn’t it. Jennie must adopt a cat once a year.
What is the story behind the half cat? Which half do you have?
snickers says
June 1, 2013 at 10:10 pmJennie, does the neighbor cat visit at night? 🙂 Part time cats do come and go. LOL.
Pam, crazy weather all around, glad to hear everyone by your parents are safe. My sister found a few things, my Mother’s antique sewing machine table, one board missing on it, a couple of end tables, a kitchen table and 3 chairs, no sign of the fourth one and the most precious thing was the flag fror her husbands coffin. My sister ended up in the hospital for 27 hours, just too much for her to deal with and her bp meds were missing, and her Doctor’s office was gone also. She is fine now, one day at a time. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
Lily@IW says
June 2, 2013 at 4:59 amJennie, I swear I tried to find Fennec Fox Month and there was no such thing. And, yes, you must now bring another lovely cat into your home. The month of June commands it. 😉
I wish our Summers were longer. I agree w/you Chardonnay, as bad as the heat gets (and who cares when you’re at the pool), I can’t stand the cold and snow anymore. Blech, I hate the Winter months. I’m not sure how we’ll be spending our Summer. There are local events and a small amusement park that my daughter loves. We’ll be doing stuff like the waterpark, but I love the lazy days of kids playing, riding their bikes and grilling something for dinner. I’d really like to start camping again, so I’ll try to get that in there too.
Snickers, I have been thinking of your sister and all of the victims. I can’t imagine one’s home and everything you own just gone and blown away in a matter of minutes. It seems miraculous she was able to find the flag, that’s wonderful. I hope the storms settle down now. I don’t see how that area can take anymore.
Thanks Pam, more kittens were born on our porch and I am making sure this is the last batch from that poor momma (also born on my porch). Strays and ferals are such a problem around here. The momma was wild but has become pretty tame and so we were able to tame the kittens and find homes. In handling them, my daughter and I became very attached to the runt who was just a sweetheart. I resisted w/all my might, but the little thing won my heart.
Deborah says
June 2, 2013 at 7:40 amWonderful post!
So much going on!
JennieIW says
June 2, 2013 at 8:28 amHeh, Pam and snickers, we have the kind of half cat who comes in through the cat door regularly for meals, or sometimes just hangs around inside (when we’re asleep or no one’s home, mostly), but won’t actually let me touch him. I don’t think he’s a neighbor’s cat so much as a stray; when he first started coming he wasn’t full grown and was SO skinny (which was why I fed him). He’s bigger now but still really skinny; I’m thinking of putting some worm medicine in his food just in case he has worms since I don’t think he should be so think considering what he eats! But I kind of love him. 🙂
Lily, every month is fennec fox month. 🙂
Pattypie says
June 2, 2013 at 10:56 amJennie has a strange cat coming into her house? I sure hope he isn’t a cat burglar. Ha Ha Ha I crack me up!
Happy June everyone….I can’t wait for school to be out! 😉
Pattypie says
June 2, 2013 at 10:57 amSnickers prayers to your sister. I am so glad she was able to find some treasured items.
Jen says
June 3, 2013 at 7:20 amHappy June ladies! Lily, you always do such a great job summing up the current. I had no idea all that good stuff happened in June!
June is a crazy month in our household. Both kids have birthday’s this month. They are just 3 days shy of being exactly 3 years apart. Fathers Day weekend will be busy – birthday party and my Dad comes in from CA to celebrate their birthdays and Fathers Day.
Maria Iemma says
June 7, 2013 at 6:33 amWelcome to June – So many things to do/attend during this month! I keep our calendar right on the refrigerator so we do not miss any of the events we have planned. Love the start of summer, the great weather and VACATIONS!
Pam@IW says
June 7, 2013 at 7:45 amHi Maria,
I love those things about June too! Probably our nicest weather here for the year and I love when school is out because traffic is more manageable during rush hours.
Hope everyone is having a great June. We have been doing a lot of remodeling type work around our home which is keeping us busy. Thinking about taking on the kitchen this fall but not sure yet.
Pam@IW says
June 7, 2013 at 7:46 amHas anyone seen any good movies lately. Not necessarily recent releases but just any thing you would recommend?
Lynn says
June 11, 2013 at 4:47 pm12 days short of a year our state is on fire again. I hope and pray everyone got out safe.
Pam@IW says
June 11, 2013 at 8:34 pmJust looking at it now, Lynn. Stay safe. We have the same issues here in Southern Cal.
snickers says
June 11, 2013 at 9:18 pmLynn!
Be safe, praying for all of you!
Lynn says
June 13, 2013 at 6:18 pmMy heart is sad tonight. Two people lost their lives trying to get away from the fire.
Jen says
June 13, 2013 at 8:43 pmLynn,
I didn’t realize you were in Colorado as well. Are you near the fires? I’m south of Springs so we are getting the haze from the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.
I can’t believe it’s happening again either. It just feels like someone is doing this on purpose to me.
snickers says
June 13, 2013 at 8:45 pmLynn and Jen,
Thinking of all of you with these terrible fires. Stay safe!
Congrats IW ladies on your good news today!! Looking forward to what is coming. 🙂
Lynn says
June 14, 2013 at 5:33 pmJen,
I am south as well. So much for the little haze that we had. It is downright smokey now. I am glad they finally took 5 minutes off the Black Forest fire to let us know what is going on. I do appreciate seeing what is going on up there but I would also like to know what is going on down here. I was almost ready to jump in the truck and find out for myself what was going on.
Snickers,
We have been ok but seems there are a few new fires popping up down here. How’s your garden doing?
snickers says
June 14, 2013 at 6:35 pmLynn,
Hope you are safe, but feeling so bad for people who have lost their homes, etc. I have been watching it on the news. 🙁 We have had so much rain, flooded fields everywhere around the countryside. Wish we could send about 10 inches your way.
My garden looks so good, will post pics as soon as I can get them sent. We are forecasted for more rain and hail tonight. 🙁
Lynn says
June 14, 2013 at 7:32 pmI am getting a bit frustrated with the news casts. There is a fire here there isn’t one there. It is this big no wait it isn’t that big. It is getting annoying in my opinion.
Snickers,
Please send rain but I don’t think we want that much. LOL. I got out in the garden today and I was amazed how it looked. We have had 2 hail storms so far but they were just pea size so the plants survived. The wind is causing a lot of frustration but not as much as hail does. So I hope you don’t get any hail. We got t storms until tuesday so lets hope all will be ok. I am praying for the San Isabel fire. I hope they can keep it under control otherwise it is going to be awful.
snickers says
June 14, 2013 at 8:51 pmLynn,
Rain storm here tonight, it poured again. No hail so far, but we are under weather watch for several hours yet.
The fires are terrible, praying for everyone there.
Lynn says
June 14, 2013 at 9:21 pmI hope the hail stays away from all of us. Lighting too. I just want some rain. Just some water from the sky. That is all.
Hey snickers I got a broccoli head about the size of my hand out there. I will let you know if it makes it.
Lynn says
June 14, 2013 at 9:27 pmThere is a fire burning in the river bed. That is how dry it is.