Every summer brings with it a new set of obsessions. Summer is the time to explore, relax, and just let things fall where they may. Here are a few things that captured my attention this summer (in no particular order):

Wild raspberries. I spent quite a bit of time in Duluth this summer and found a ton of raspberry bushes in the woods. The last couple of times I’ve been able to pick a pint at a time. Fruit on my cereal is a favorite breakfast!

Three’s Company. I got PlutoTV this summer and have kept it tuned often to Three’s Company. I watched this show a lot as a kid and I just love the physical comedy and the misunderstandings. John Ritter is a comic genius–I still miss him. The show is definitely a product of its time–i.e. consent? Who needs consent? Geez. Almost every episode features someone getting kissed or groped against their will. And all the gay jokes. But I choose to see Roper and Furley as the idiots–they were dim enough to be fooled by Jack’s cover story. Still, almost every episode makes me laugh.

Dateline podcast. Yes, I’m the weird person who can fall asleep with earbuds in and a good podcast playing. No dig against Dateline, but I’m asleep within a couple of minutes, lol! I will wake up in the night and listen for a bit, but I’m asleep faster than if I had nothing to listen to. I need a distraction from my nighttime monkey mind, and this show does it.

Ken Follett’s Century trilogy. I read the first book, Fall of Giants, in June and July and now I’m on to Winter of the World. I enjoy following the same characters from the first book. One of my favorite books remains Follett’s Pillars of the Earth.

Frenchies. I have been drinking Frenchies from Vikre Distillery since they first came out a few years ago, but now that I can easily find them in liquor stores in Duluth and Mankato, it has become my summer go-to drink. It’s light and refreshing, and one is just enough!

Lake Superior. As I mentioned, I have spent a lot of time in Duluth this summer and I just love the lake. I like how the lake changes each day, depending on the weather and sun angle. One of my favorite runs is to go along the Lake Walk, and also Park Point way at the end — through the woods and then on the beach.