Mid-July. No one has moved into the three empty units in our multiplex. The departed neighbors are all settled in the states now, and I’ve finished accepting leftover frozen food, plastic wrap, and paint cans. I’ve begun parking in any space I please, since there are eight empty ones waiting each time I drive up. It’s quiet and a little weird with the trampoline down for storm season and the cul-de-sac empty from the moving and vacationing season. It feels like we’re the leftovers of an apocalypse.

A couple weeks ago, a family came by to see the end unit, and I only know because I was on the roof taking down the awning to ensure Typhoon Soulik stayed away.

“Hi! Looking at a house?” I called down.

“Yes. Working on the roof?” she replied.

Clearly, we are going to be the best of obvious friends. I haven’t seen them since.

We’ve spent the summer swimming and flipping off diving boards, writing fiction instead of facing reality, and checking things off our Okinawa bucket list. The only way back from this summer fog will be gratefulness, so expect to see a post or two each week celebrating some small mercy we’ve encountered. Until then, I miss you all. Hope you are having a great summer!