Tag: A Reluctant Duke

August 2026 Wrap-Up

Personal Highlights from this month:

  • For the days of July 30th through August 1st
    • Miss R finished the leadership camp. She was invited by the head of the camp to join his Junior Explorers group when she’s 14 (next year). She is very excited to have gotten that invitation!
    • I also confirmed that Miss R will be doing wrestling this school year (not too thrilled about that).
    • Miss R also got thrown off the horse she was riding during her Saturday lesson. She’s fine (some whiplash, a sprained wrist, and a huge bruise on her hip). The horse had gotten stung by a wasp, bucked, and then bolted. She got thrown off when he made a sharp turn. He is also all right (no lasting issues from the sting).
  • For the week of August 2nd through August 8th
    • It is one week until Mr. Z moves into his dorm. We started boxing up stuff that he wasn’t using and will finish packing over the weekend.
    • It was the last week of Miss R doing camp at the barn. She is thankful that she can sleep past 7:30 a.m. lol.
  • For the week of August 9th through August 15th:
    • We moved Mr. Z into his dorm this week. It was uneventful, and he seems to be getting along with his roommate.
    • I did Miss R’s back-to-school shopping (clothes and supplies). We also picked up a few things for Mr. Z (we went back over the weekend to drop off some he forgot).
  • For the week of August 16th through August 22nd:
    • I finally got to try 7 Brew and Guthrie’s Chicken. I loved 7 Brew but was not too fond of Guthrie’s.
    • Mr. Z started classes on the 17th. His first class is also his furthest class (a 5-minute shuttle ride or a 15-minute walk).
    • Miss R has her sneak peek (for school) later on this week. She meets the teachers, gets her schedule, and confirms transportation. We are also talking to the wrestling coach to get a sports physical form.
    • Miss R also got her hair done. She did red chunks with her natural color, brunette. It looks really good.
  • For the week of August 23rd through August 29th
    • School started this week.
    • And since we are on the subject of school, Mr. Z is loving college. He’s acclimated pretty well.
    • Miss R is loving school. The school is doing something different. They are splitting science and social studies into different semesters. Right now, Miss R is in science. Next semester, she will be in social studies. I think it is a good way to get the kids used to that kind of schedule shift for high school.
    • Miss R isn’t loving the bus ride, though. Her route got changed because that driver retired. So, two routes were combined, and they have a new driver. On the first day of school, she was 10 minutes late getting there (they start at 7:20, and the bus got there at 7:30). But it was the ride home that got parents complaining (not me, though). Miss R was dropped off at 3:10ish (her regular time). The rest of the route took almost 1 1/2 hours to drop off because the driver got lost. Thankfully, the assistant principal will be driving with that driver until he gets the hang of the route.

Books I Read:

Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).

Featured Song of the Month