C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Summer Hop and Farewell for a While

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I joined Lexa Cain’s Summer Hop because I’m ready for a vacation, and it gave me a great way to say goodbye to everyone for June. I’ll be around to your blogs, but probably as I make my way to Oregon. I’ll wave to M. Pax on my way through her beautiful state and keep an eye out for those Gangsta Cows she’s alerted me to. Then I’m off Ireland for a family wedding and a revisit to a few Leprechauns.

So on with the Hop. 

Lexa Cain

I’ve been to a lot of summer vacation places: Costa Rica, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Mexico, Hawaii (Maui, Kawaii, Lanai, Molokai-still my favorite island), Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France, Wales, Scotland (where the word isn’t in the dictionary because they don’t have summer) England, Turkey, Yugoslavia-interesting summer there-New York, Kansas (don’t ask), Alaska and someplace else I can’t remember. So what’s my favorite summer vacation spot? Here it is!

Welcome to my SECRET GARDEN.

My favorite summer vacation spot is this tiny dot on the map where all things are possible as long as I want them to be. Where I’m the mistress and the servant, and where peace settles inside me with a friendly purr.

This is where I kick back and think and wonder at my good fortune to have a place on this planet to just be.
This is where I plan my stories and plant my seeds and watch my peaches ripen.
 This is where I read and consider philosophy and magic.
This is where I wait for the new birds who find my umbrella a safe nesting place.
This is where I pull weeds, turn the dirt, pick fresh produce and savor the smells of summer.

This is where the fish live in the ponds, and Albert the Cat used to contemplate their world of water. He’s missed.

And, of course, this is where I come when everything around me crumbles and I need help.

*******

Hope you’ll visit all the others who are sharing their favorite summer vacation spots, and be sure to visit Lexa and her Co-Hosts: Melanie Karsak  T.F. Walsh 
Vanessa Morgan Jolie Du Pre  Stuart R. West


Bye until July!

Comments

  3. Hi Lee - it's summer here now .. beautiful - well in the SE, though Scotland probably is as you describe it!! Cheers and enjoy the time away and that holiday in our green isle next door … happy times - Hilary

  4. Wow, really looks like a great place to have a vacation! That hammock looks very relaxing! Enjoy!

  5. Have a lovely time off in June. All the pictures look gorgeous. I would come vacation in your home if I could, it's so peaceful.

  9. Where is that Gary? Yay, I'm here at five in the morning! Only took me six days to get here.

    You do get around, don't you? Did that sound right? Your garden, your oasis of inspiration. Lovely, just like your lovely self.

    I have been to Oregon. I love Portland and Eugene aint bad either.

    All the best and chill.

    Gary 🙂

  11. I would love to travel for 6 months out a year, every year. There is just so much to see. If only Scotty would beam me up. Enjoy your summer. If you get to Bucerias, Nayarit next winter, stop and I'll feed you a feast.

  12. Wow, it looks absolutely beautiful, Lee. I imagine it took a lot of work to get it just the way you like it.

    Enjoy your summer! I miss you already.

  14. Aw…I missed signing up for Lexa's blogfest. Poo…. Oh well, glad I'm here to read your contribution. As always, you share the best info and images. Now I totally want to go on vacation!

  16. wow, what relaxing and inspiring images! looks like a writer's paradise.
    hope you are enjoying your travels and can't wait to hear about them when you return!

  18. Aw, lovely photos. Sounds delightful. I used to live in Oregon. Have fun as you pass through! So many different types of land there. Ocean, mountains, desert, lush forest. I've never been to Ireland, but some day.

  19. What a beautiful post! I loved seeing all the special spots that make up your favorite vacation spot and how lovely that it is so close. 🙂 Your garden and hammock are my favorite parts!

    I hope you have fun on your travels and enjoy your much deserved break. Can't wait to hear about it. 🙂
    ~Jess

  23. Hi, Lee….

    As Dorothy says in the Wizard of Oz…."There's no place like home!" Happy to know you have such a wonderful place to live and escape all at the same time… have a safe and wonderful trip!

  24. As they say, home is where the heart is! Great to see where you consider your favorite vacation!

  26. Love to see some future pics of the Gangsta cows. Your heaven looks wonderful and your pussy cat is so sweet and will never be forgotten

  29. I love your little paradise. That place is right up my alley.

    Enjoy your June!

    Just passing through on my #AtoZRoadTrip

  39. I love the pics and especially the quotation! Your garden looks so peaceful and serene. We all need that to re-charge our batteries. Thanks for sharing it with us. (Odd that the birds nest under your umbrella when there are tons of trees available. Maybe the umbrella is considered the 'upscale' neighborhood. The birds probably have a waiting list and a lottery to decide who gets it every year.) Have a wonderful June vacation!! 🙂

  47. Okay, first of all, I'd like to hear about Gangsta Cows. And I'm asking about Kansas! It's my stomping grounds and I KNOW it's awful, I write about it all the time.

  50. I love your favorite summer place. I hope you have wonder-filled travels and you can avoid gangsta cows! If you swing by Washington state, give me a wave, too. 🙂