"June is Bustin' Out All Over!" is a rousing song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel."
It could also be the totally uncalled for remarks of a very pregnant woman's heel of a husband. If the woman's name were June, of course. That was a real stretch, I know, but it's the kind of stretch I LIKE to make, the kind of stretch that leaves stretch marks. If you'd like to know how FAR I can stretch something, ask me about the French-Chinese version of the old horror movie "The Blob."
In the state of Michigan, the month of June does seem to bust out--all over the place. All the botanical brilliance that has been hibernating through 6 months of winter comes rushing out into visibility. Every child's teacher is just itching to schedule a concert, or display all that the kids have been working on throughout the school year. June is busy and harried--and wonderful for our family.
Below is a photographic definition of June. . . in Midland, Michigan. . . for us.***
It's entitled "June is . . . . "
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| June is academic advancement assemblies for each child. This is Scarlett's. |
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| Talk about BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER! This tree in the Larsen's front yard is a riot of gorgeous pink blossoms. |
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| June is playing outside--without shoes or coats. Here's George with his best friend. |
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| June is sunlight on blossoms. photo by Scarlett |
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| Here's Ethel as Emma Smith for her school's "wax museum." |
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| June is the time for special events which require special hairdos. Here's Ethel's band concert "up do." |
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| June is Abner singing a solo in the middle school play "Schoolhouse Rock." Due to inept photography, this picture is of Abner's FRIEND singing a solo. He was great, too! We didn't get a good photo of our OWN son. That's June, too! |
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| June is handsome Abner dressing in a very smart red shirt and black tie (school colors) to play percussion in his band concert. |
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| June is the END of school. It's Pearl's LAST day of public school, and Scarlett's last day before exams begin. One of them is happy, and one in a state of exhaustion and dread. You can tell which is which just by looking. |
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June is Dow High choosing its drum majors for next year--and you're looking at her! Scarlett is practicing her conducting skills in preparation for her audition. June is also a friend of your little brother in the background. |
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| June is Lola home from college. |
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| June is SO green it seems impossible. |
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| June is parades in the hot sun. Scarlett is somewhere in the 3rd line from the left, holding her mellophone. |
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| June is sunburn weather. Sometimes Michiganders (or their Moms) forget that sunscreen is necessary. Poor Lewis!! |
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| June is more academic advancement ceremonies. We're so proud of Abner! |
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| June is a graduation party for 7 awesome young people. |
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| June is high school graduates elatedly singing "I'm a Believer" to a live band at their party. |
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| June is line dancing to the music of the band at the party. |
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| June is Ethel hanging out with the chickens, giving them a treat of fresh corn. |
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| June is our awesome PEARL--graduating from Dow High with honors! |
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| June is proud parents with their graduate. |
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| June is a fancy graduation dress bought for you by your big sis, and a gorgeous flower lei from your Auntie Nikki. |
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| June is starting off happily on a half marathon with the kindest people in the world accompanying you and cheering you on! |
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| June is Charles's birthday dinner--always the same: fried chicken, biscuits, salad, corn and chocolate silk pie. |
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| June is Charles getting a practical gift--this time it's a cordless drill. |
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| June is "heavy heavy hangs over" and some cufflinks from Lola. |
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| June is Charles's birthday sign. |
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| June is so relaxed that you do silly things like pose with the statues in the park. |
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| June is a time for reflection--or at least a picture of your shadow in the river. |
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June is warm enough to play at the spray park with friends, but so cool that you need to lie down on the sun-heated cement to warm up.
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| June is a road trip to Youth Conference at Kirtland, Ohio where Charles served his mission. . . . |
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| . . . and a stop along the shores of Lake Erie. |
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| June is saying goodbye to a good missionary--and houseguests that you wish you could adopt! |
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| June is a friend visiting, and becoming an expert bow-fisherman. |
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| June is also time to hang out on the dock, fishing pole in hand. |
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| June is a Quidditch match in the backyard. |
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| June is two friends becoming, together, a mean goal-scoring machine! |
June is. . . so often the best time of year in Michigan, and we're LOVING it!
***Some of the events pictured may technically have taken place at the end of May.
