The Wheel has turned. Although we're approaching the dog days of August, there is a change in the angle of the sunlight. The temperatures during the day are so warm, but cooling nights are a heads up that autumn is around the corner.

I feel torn this year. Normally I'm in (what I refer to as) Squirrel Mode by now. Everything my yard and garden produces is being dried, frozen or canned.

Jars of dried herbs and salves would normally be filling the shelves in my playroom. The pantry should be bursting with canned fruits and jams. The freezer should be full of bags of blanched vegetables, casseroles made from the produce in my garden, and fruit from the plants, bushes and trees.

This summer is different. I needed a total knee replacement (probably due to 20 years of karate, but that's another story). I assumed I would be operated on in the Fall, but when the surgeon saw me in mid May, he wanted to do it immediately. I was in the OR June 4th.

Its been a long recovery process, and somehow I feel as if I've missed summer. I'm not able to stand for the long periods of time needed to do my usual summertime work. I'm trying to content myself with making small batches of ointment, and collecting some herbs to dry when I can. Its not the same.

The Universe seems to be teaching me to be in the moment. To trust that all will be well, that there will be enough, and that by next summer, I'll be on track. As someone who is both accomplishment and goal driven, this is a hard lesson.

Be in the moment. Trust. All will be well. This is my mantra.