Friday, June 14, 2013

Riding With Amy

Cherry red cruiser bike.

Open road.

Basket full of sandwiches and lemonade. 

Wheels spin as I race to catch up with seventeen again. 

Make time go backwards.

If only for a little while.

 

My 33 words this week, inspired by outings with my daughter.

Summer, to us, is both complicated and uncomplicated. Intricate travel itineraries and kicked-off sandals with sand still clinging to the soles. Carefree cloud-gazing days spent lying beside one body of water or another and big money spent on childcare and amusement parks. It means leaving home or coming home. This weekend we're asking you to describe summer in your own words. Thirty-three of them exactly, of course. Good luck!

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63 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 14, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    Ride like the wind Cherry Red! ♦♦

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  2. barbaraJune 14, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    let me know if you catch up with that 17 year old again :) Right there with you.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:30 AM

      I will Barbara, and I'll pack an extra sandwich too:)

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  3. September DreamsJune 14, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    If only for a little while... How I wish!!! Lovely... Very sweet :)

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  4. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 12:09 AM

    I do wish I could go back for a little while. Seventeen year old me was full of hopes and dreams that forty-eight year old me has lost. However, she was a little s**t and needed some sense smacked into her. She wasted altogether too much time mooning over idiot boys who weren't worth her time.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:48 AM

      Ah yes, I was a bit like that too. Now I just love hanging out with my beautiful daughter:) Thank you so much for your comment!

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  5. UnknownJune 15, 2013 at 2:36 AM

    Lovely, and even more so because your daughter inspired. it. Children sometimes age us, but then in moments of clarity, remind us of how to be young again. Thanks for this beautiful image.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:49 AM

      Emily-so well put, and so true! Thank you for your wonderful comment!

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  6. Tara R.June 15, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    This is the perfect capture of childhood summers. Wonderful descriptions.

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  7. TrifectaJune 15, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    I could definitely rewind for a little bit, too. This is such a nice piece. Thanks for linking up. Don't forget to come back and vote at the end.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:52 AM

      Getting a new bike was one of the best things I've done in a while:) Thank you so much for reading this-and I will:)

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  8. Our Neck of the WoodsJune 15, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    Awww how sweet :) Baskets full of sandwiches and lemonade remind me of summer for sure! Hope you have a great weekend, Valerie!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:53 AM

      Thank you, dear Tammy! And I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  9. KirJune 15, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    Oh yes, I think we all "lose 10 years" or so for a few months as we take in the sunshine don't we?

    (I love the new blog design, it's so wonderful)

    and I loved "if only for a little while", it's that slowdown and stroll that I look forward to in the summer months.

    HAPPY WEEKEND !

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:55 AM

      Kir, we do! It's so energizing! And I'm so glad you like my new blog design-it was hard to let the other one go, but this one is so much more "me." :)

      A very happy sunny weekend to you too!!

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  10. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    The rule of Sun has that effect on our hearts.

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  11. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    Here here! I love "basket full of sandwiches and lemonade" This creates a vivid image. That cherry red cruiser bike! Oh you've brought back some happy memories! :D

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:57 AM

      Linda, I'm glad to have brought back happy memories! I think a red cruiser bike and a picnic lunch tend to do that:) Thanks so much for reading!

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  12. Valerie BoersmaJune 15, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    Thanks Jo-Anne! I'm looking forward to more of them!

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  13. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    Chasing seventeen - I love this idea. Beautifully written!

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  14. Dawn of LaTouchablesJune 15, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Oh yes, to give me just a taste of seventeen again!

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    1. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmJune 15, 2013 at 3:17 PM

      One of my favorites from you!

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    2. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:32 AM

      Dawn, I'd go back for a little while too. And Lisa, that means a lot!! Thank you both! :) xx

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  15. renae June 15, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    You count on me for a smile? Seriously. OMyGosh, how sweeeeeet. I count on you to make me smile. Awh ~~

    Please be sure and see my post on Monday. It will make sense as to why I am replying to you on Saturday. (sneaky) It is all good!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:30 AM

      I do Renae! I'll be there tomorrow, for sure!! xx

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  16. ReneeJune 15, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    Lemonade and sandwiches. I close my eyes and feel the wind and can anticipate the picnic. Nicely done!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:31 AM

      Thanks Renee! I always think that sandwiches and lemonade taste best on a bike picnic:)

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  17. SuzanneJune 15, 2013 at 6:15 PM

    Love this! I can almost taste it. If only we could go back to those moments... :)

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  18. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    I love this! Just love it. Our children do give us a chance to relive the joys of our youth, if only in moments.

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  19. DraugJune 15, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    Summer does seem to be the perfect time to try and capture youth. This is lovely!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:33 AM

      Thanks Draug! I know from some of the skimpy outfits I've seen on those who are no longer 17 that what you've said is so true;)

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  20. AnonymousJune 15, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    This is lovely, I want to race back to seventeen too!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:34 AM

      Thank you! Me too! I just hope I'm not too tired when I get there;)

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  21. PirateJune 16, 2013 at 1:32 AM

    Great mood - powerful, whimsical finish...very - PS...come join this challenge too! http://yepirategunn.weebly.com/2/post/2013/06/ligo-haibun-challenge-1406-2106.html

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  22. AnonymousJune 16, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    I loved this line,; Wheels spin as I race to catch up with seventeen again.

    I thought one could read wheels spin as actual bike wheels or as mataphor for no progress.

    I will say that though I am 41 all of my bikes are cherry red, even the one that I have now.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 9:37 AM

      Thank you, Jennifer-I love your keen observations. A metaphor for no progress is perfect!

      I've had a blue bike, and a black one too. My first one was red, back when I was 5 or so. I seem to recall getting into the most trouble on it;)

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  23. AnonymousJune 16, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    "Wheels spin as I race to catch up with seventeen again." i think everyone can find a way to be young again in summertime (:

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 5:04 PM

      Renada-I think so too! Thank you so much for reading this, and leaving such a nice comment!

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  24. AnonymousJune 16, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    I really love this. It's sooo familiar. Therein lies it's subtle genius.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 5:06 PM

      Thank you for a comment that made my heart sing!

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  25. tedstrutzJune 16, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Oh, I wish we could... yes, a summer wish for sure.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 5:08 PM

      It's possible Ted! I think certain times of the year are made for bringing out the youthful feeling in all of us-for a little while at least:) Thanks for your comment!

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  26. brudbergJune 16, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    Wheels spin as I race to catch up with seventeen again.

    Just such a great sentence ... lovely

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 5:09 PM

      Thanks Bjorn! I'd probably get tired being 17 for too long, but it would be fun for awhile! ;)

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  27. AnonymousJune 16, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    So bittersweet to read, remembering younger days. :) Nice writing.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 16, 2013 at 5:10 PM

      I agree. Time has a way of going by so fast. And that makes me sad. My own daughter is growing up, it seems, in the blink of an eye:)

      Thanks for your comment!

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  28. Ann BennettJune 16, 2013 at 7:05 PM

    I love the going in reverse. So much happens so quickly in our lives. Its a wonder we pause enough to notice items that disappear but bring such strong memories.

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 17, 2013 at 7:04 AM

      Thanks Ann, and I agree. I try to remember to stop and smell the roses:)

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  29. kymmJune 17, 2013 at 2:26 AM

    You had me at cherry red. But you can keep seventeen. Great post, Valerie!

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 17, 2013 at 7:05 AM

      Thanks Kymm! Sounds like a good compromise:) Actually, I'd go back to my late 20's-for a while. those were good years;) xx

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  30. Sini RachelJune 17, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    To catch up with 17 is a task now.....

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    1. Valerie BoersmaJune 17, 2013 at 7:06 AM

      Sini Rachel, It is! The older we get, the harder it gets;) Thank you so much for your comment!

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  31. Melissa AmateisJune 17, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    That is an awesome, awesome line, Valerie - "...as I race to catch up with 17 again." LOVE it!

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  32. Valerie BoersmaJune 17, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    Hugs, Melissa, and thank you! You are such a gem:)

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  33. CameronJune 26, 2013 at 7:28 PM

    I love when you write about Amy!

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