Summer of 2026 is quickly coming to a close as Fall makes an appearance tomorrow.
This past summer has been a bit different for me as I have transitioned from active cancer treatment to a new medication phase for the next 5 years. As a result of that transition, this new medication has impacted my body systems in ways I never anticipated.
My focus shifted significantly earlier this summer, towards finding solutions to these new ongoing issues, keeping the road well travelled to Winston Salem in the Summer of 2026.
The good news… Progress has been made in regard to finding a new day to day normal for me. Sleep has resumed to a more normal, stable condition. I’m extremely thankful for small, but necessary changes in the Summer of 2026.
Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me 💕.
I feel like I have devoted less time capturing the day to day photos of summer. As you view these shared 2026 Summer Memories, I hope you will enjoy them and find a bit of inspiration in the ordinary things that we often take for granted. Finding Joy in the OrdinaryThings.
I’m finding my ordinary life, extraordinary these days. Taking time to enjoy the simplicity of my daily routine and being simply being home. Here’s to the Summer of finding Joy in the ordinary days.
After the Rain
Rain refreshes the Earth from the dry, humid days of a Southern summer… Offering a pause to the intense heat. Rain brings growth to a garden. A Summer ordinary event made extraordinary by its own creation.
Summer Blues
The first glimpse of the mountains from 421 from two different trips… always looks uniquely different based on the weather
The colors of summer seem to hit a bit differently. The beautiful hues of blue dominate our skies each day. The hues of blue along the Blue Ridge Mountains, are a staple of our daily existence looming off in the not so far distance, offering an extraordinary view which is seemingly ordinary to us.
Sunrises and SunsetsofSummer: Ordinary Days at Home
I often step out on my back porch each morning to catch the first glimpse of the new, beginning day. An ordinary daily routine, with extraordinary results, captivated by a new sunrise each morning.
In the Garden
Purple sweet potatoes growing, a fantastic cancer fighting food! Watermelon growing… Angel Trumpet blooms in morning sunlight
In the Blue Zones, gardening is a way that people grow necessities, and it creates gentle, daily movements that have allowed them to live healthier, longer lives. Ordinary people completing a daily routine task, with an extraordinary outcome, longevity.
Hot Summer Days
Movie fun in the summertime… popcorn 🍿 is a must!
The heat of summer can be experienced in different ways. Visually you can see the heat from the morning sunrises or viewing the full moon in midst of a humid night. So how do you balance the summer heat? Find a cool place to be, it could be watching a movie 🍿 with friends or family. OR sitting and enjoying the cool breeze of an open doorway. Ordinary living becomes extraordinary in the heat of summertime.
Footnotefrom me… As October approaches, Ladies, don’t forget to schedule your yearly mammogram appointment IF you haven’t already scheduled it yet. My breast cancer was found during a routine mammogram last November. Sadly, more friends are being diagnosed each day. Pray for them as they fight to resume their ordinary days in a new, profoundly different way.
Everyone included, not just ladies here, know your cancer risk factors and advocate for your health! Do not be afraid to ask questions and go seek answers from your health care team.
I’m currently scheduled for my next round of scans in early November. Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me💕.
It is so hard to believe that the Summer of 2025 is coming to an end soon! This blog post is devoted to my photography favorites from this Summer as a reminder of some of my treasured moments. I hope that you will enjoy these photos that I have complied as the Best of Summer in photographic form… a “love story” of Summer.
Life is Always Better In The Garden…
First Blooms of Summer Bursting Open Searching for the Sun Flower Tower Power!!! “Heavy Metal” ProjectThe garden tableDaisy ShowButterfly 🦋 Moment Double Butterflies 🦋
Summer Snapshots…
Blue Skies AheadSummer Hay Season Storm Clouds Rolling Darkened Storm SkyGood Day Sunshine! Sleepy Sunrise Summertime Color ShowSummer Morning Hues Clementine SkiesFresh Blackberries… it’s Sonker time! Sonker SummersHeavy Metal Object
July 4th Fireworks…
Summer Mountain Time… Wespentsome restful, quality time this summer at our friend’s cabin on Buck Mountain. I’m always amazed by the beauty that surrounds me there. I hope you enjoy these captures as much as we did.
Dimensions of A SunsetDefinitely 💕Movement of Fog at Sunset Fog Hugging the Ridge Where the Clouds Meet the Blue Ridge Sunset RaysSleepy Sunday Sunrise Hues of the Blue Ridge Glory of SunsetSerenity of the Blue RidgeGolden Hour in ProgressMeet Jethro… our newest family member Just A Peachy Little Summer!
Did you know that Sirius XM radio name originated from the star Sirius, also known as “ The Dog Star”???
Y’all know when The Dog Days of Summer time of year has come, the weather can be intense. Once these days arrive, they can be long and sweltering. Dog Days can be an unbelievably unpleasant portion of the humid Southern summer season… akin to a dog’s wet tongue wagging endlessly to cool down or the literal feeling of being slapped in the face with a wet washcloth when walking outside.
During the Dog Days of Summer, the temperature can climb well into the 90’s with high levels of humidity too! Ugh! WCH Recommends: A good working thermometer will help you know what to expect during the hottest days of summer.
“Sirius” Facts: Things You Should Know About Dog Days of Summer
1. The Dog Days of Summer begins each year on July 3rd and extends until August 11th.
2. The Dog Days of Summer lasts for 40 days, and it can be some of the hottest days of the summer season.
3. The name, The Dog Days of Summer, refers to the time shortly after the summer solstice and the appearance of the “Dog Star”, Sirius, rising in the summer sky.
No, the name “Dog Days” truly has nothing to do with your cute little dog. It’s all about what’s happening in the morning sky. Times have changed from the perspective of the Greeks and Romans, thoughts about Dog Days but the name has lingered. Here’s my cute little dog, JoyAnd cutie pie, Cookie
“Sirius Superstitions”: Dog Days of Summer
1. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Dog Days were a time of bad luck, and drought. The long, hot days of summer could drive men and dogs “mad”… Here are a few superstitions that I found interesting while researching The Dog Days of Summer.
2. Snakes will strike at anything during DogDays for they are blinded. Be wary as you trek outdoors during these 40 days!
3. If it rains on July 3rd, on the first Dog Day, then more rain will follow.
4. Dogs are likely to go mad during Dog Days.
5. Wounds will not heal properly during DogDays, the old wives tale suggests that one should put off surgeries until after Dog Days have passed.
6. People are more prone to drowning during Dog Days.
Pool swimming safety is always important all summer long. Swim safely by keeping your pool water clean and sanitized, and never swim alone.
Now that the calendar has hit July 3rd, and The Dog Days of Summer have arrived, how can we all stay in “cool” state of mind all summer long??? Check out the next few sections of the blog for some helpful tips.
AC Cooling Tips: Dog Days of Summer
1. Keep your furnace filters clean! Remember to change your furnace filters once a month!
Wilkes County Hardware has a vast selection of many sizes of filters! Ask us to find your size for you.
2. Try not to place your furniture on your vents, reduced air flow will make your unit work harder. Close blinds or curtains during the day to keep the excess summer heat out.
3. Remember to keep your vents open to allow good airflow throughout your 🏡 home. This helps your AC unit to work properly.
4. Stop by into Wilkes County Hardware and buy a whole box 📦 of filters at once! Plan ahead, saving time and another trip to town🚗. If you don’t see your exact size?? Ask us to order your size!
5. Changing out your furnace filters regularly may save you a bundle in the long run… Spend the money on a filter each month to keep your unit working effectively and stay cool all summer long.
Hydrate!!! Watering tips for your flower garden: Dog Days of Summer
1. Water in early morning or evening. Rain water is ideal, but not always going to happen everyday.
2. For your beautiful container plants, watering daily might be necessary!
WCH Recommends: Zero G! This is a lightweight water hose that makes watering an easy chore in the summer.
3. New additions to your garden will need extra TLC. Be ready to monitor them closely and anticipate watering these new plants more frequently than established plants in your garden.
WCH Recommends: A good watering can goes a long way during The Dog Days of Summer
4. Water any plant thoroughly if signs of wilt begins. The plant will be under great stress and needs an immediate boost.
5. Water plants and flowers from the base not from the top. Use a watering wand, watering can, or a sprayer that can help you achieve success.
WCH Recommends: Watering wands extend the length of your hose and allows for less bending in the garden.
6. If you are using a heavier water hose to water your summer blooms, move your hose in place before turning on the water flow to make it easier to maneuver.
WCH Recommends: These hoses are heavy duty and ready to go the distance you need.
Pool Splashing Fun: Dog Days of Summer
Pools are a great way to cool off in the hot, sultry, humid Dog Days of Summer.
1. Pool maintenance is an ongoing process all summer long, even on the hottest days of summer. Chemical reagents that you use to check chlorine & PH need to be replaced each year! If your pool water seems a little bit off and you can’t seem to get a good balance of chlorine & PH, check your reagents!
WCH Recommends: Replace your test kit each year to allow for accurate testing results. WCH Recommends: Pool owners should be well stocked on various chemicals needed in order to swim safely all summer long. Stop by WCH to stock back up.
2. Your pool will take some abuse during the Dog Days of Summer with the intense summer heat and pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. PH and chlorine levels can dive down into dangerous levels if left unchecked. Stop in with a water sample for a FREE water analysis and pick up the chemicals you might need in order to keep swimming safely all summer long!
WCH tests pool water all summer long!
Tips on Beating the Heat During Dog Days of Summer… Just for Fun 😎
1. Make homemade ice cream during Dog Days. Find the link below for Homemade Ice Cream.
2. Create a Summer Playlist full of your summer favorite songs.
3. Watch your Summer Favorite Movies 🍿 or head to our local Liberty movie theater to enjoy one of the Free Movies each week. I’m definitely going to check out this movie by Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon that a friend just told me about.
4. Get outside and put your shades on!!! Enjoy some summer sunshine!
WCH Recommends: You can’t beat $3.99 for a pair of shades! Make sure you have bug spray and sunscreen too!
5. Take the kids or grandkids and go pick some summer fruit… blueberries, blackberries, or peaches!
6. Make a Sonker with your fruit picking finds. Find the link below for recipe for Summer Sonker.
7. Stop by and visit us at Wilkes County Hardware of course! Our doors are always open in the summer, take a seat in a rocking chair, and enjoy the breeze. We keep our drink coolers well stocked with Gatorade and bottled water as well as other drinks. Hydrate and simply relax!
Celebrating the End Of Dog Days of Summer
August 11th marks the official end of the Dog Days of Summer. Celebrate the end of the hottest days of summer! This year, I’ll play the song, The Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine on August 11th, will you join me?
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