Sigh, it’s already August. Summer is going way too fast, and I’ve been too busy to go to the beach or canoeing even once! Ludington seems unusually crowded and bustling this summer, don’t you think? I’ve been inundated with visitors and family and I’m beginning to understand that this is the usual routine for summers in such a place as beautiful as where we live. I’m appreciating Ludington and Michigan more and more every year. I just need to figure out how to make time to enjoy it! Fortunately, I’m taking a week of vacation the first week of August. My vacation begins on my birthday, how perfect is that? It would be ideal if I didn’t have to have a root canal on that day. No kidding. Bad karma, huh? Another SIGH...

Good grief, enough whining, let’s change the subject.

How about that Harry Potter phenomenon? My sister, Susan, took my granddaughter Abby and a friend to wait in line at the Bookmark until midnight on July 20 for the final Harry Potter book to arrive. I was amazed and a little envious at that extraordinary level of enthusiasm for a book. I haven’t read the Harry Potter books or seen the movies either so I just couldn’t relate. It was fun to see them so excited and now I’m seeing kids all over the place with their noses buried in these gigantic books! That’s incredible! In this day and age when kids are addicted to video games and television, we owe J.K. Rowling (I had to look up her name) a huge debt of gratitude!

So, I’m taking a week of vacation to spend time with Abby at the beach and to catch a few movies at the Traverse City Film festival. I might do a little reading, too. If you look carefully, you might find me and Harry Potter lying on the beach.

Enjoy the rest of this glorious summer!

In faith and love, Cathy

Minister’s August Schedule
July 30-August 4—Vacation