It happened on July 18th. Yes, the 199th day of the year, at roughly 2pm. Yes, for the first time in 2023, I activated our air-conditioner.
For much of the United States that is sweltering in sizzling temperatures, that may seem outrageous, but not so in Colorado. At least not on Davies Way in Aurora, Colorado. But here’s what I’ve come to appreciate about this 2023 reality. For one, our June temperatures were well below what we have experienced in previous years. In fact, the average high temperature during the month was 69 degrees… a full 11 degrees lower than some previous years.
But there is one more factor that plays into our thermostat control… that factor is the increased shade that five trees are providing. Five trees. Two ash trees. Two cottonwood trees. And a maple tree. Three of them planted in 2005, when we moved in, and the cottonwoods in 2010 in honor of my Mom and Mary’s Dad, who passed away that year.
For many, many years those five trees battled, simply to survive in the bentonite soil around our house. But with regular care and winter watering, they are not only surviving, they are thriving. And as such, they now provide a wonderful layer of sun protection for our two-story house. From nearly every direction… the intense Colorado sun is thwarted. And as such, our inside temperatures remain under control.
Feels like a really good lesson to me… a call of sorts. To investing in what lasts. To cultivate what may take a long time to get to a place of flourishing. To have faith that those small branches and sparse leaves can one day provide comfort, protection and beauty.
Big trees are not inexpensive. In fact, just a few weeks ago we had a family-owned tree company over to clean and prune our trees. Literally hundreds of branches fell to the ground out of these trees. Almost all of them still vibrantly alive… but pruned to provide for healthier growth in years to come.

Shade. From trees we planted.
Shade. A return on an investment.
Shade. An ongoing investment required.
No shortcuts.
Sometimes, failed attempts. Pests come. Storms hit.
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (Mark 4:30–32, ESV)
And yes… along with the functional realities, birds. Beauty. Life. A nesting spot…
199 days. Years of hoping, believing, pruning, watering, complaining, fretting, and now… shade.
P.S. – check in with me in the Fall when it’s time to rake what these beauties produce! That’s a different lesson to be learned!

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
In a world of of rapidly changing money and variable costs sometimes situations appear where you need to get financial support until your next salary. In this context, a salary loan becomes one of the popular financial tools. Let’s look at is and how it can be useful.
1. Definition of Loan up to Wages
A loan up to wages is a short-term type of payday loans provided to the borrower on the terms of repayment per day of receipt of his next wages boards. As usual such loans have small amounts, and their purpose is to help the borrower to cope with temporary financial difficulties until the next payment of salary.
2. Advantages of a loan up to Salary
Urgency: Pre-payday loans as usual are issued quickly, making them an attractive solution for those faced with unexpected expenses .
Ease of Obtaining: The process of design of such loans is as usual minimal. The borrower often needs provide only basic information and proof of measured income.
No Lending History: For many loans up to salary there is no needed verification of the credit history of the borrower, which is a big advantage for those , who do not have fair credit history.
3. Features of Repayment and Interest Rates
Repayment Term: Usually the loan term until salary composes several weeks or until subsequent salary of the borrower.
Interest Rates: The rates on such loans may be higher than long-term loans since they are provided on a short-term base and frequently do not require collateral.
4. Safety and Regulation
Legality and Regulation: Important choose only reliable financial organizations and legal lenders, since regulation in this area helps prevent unfair practices.
Safety of consumers: Laws and regulations ensure protection of consumers, including transparency of conditions of credit and provision of complete information about interest and fees.
5. Prudence and Candidates
Consideration of Alternatives: Before applying for a loan up to salary, it is worth considering other options, including borrowing from friends or families, appeal to charitable organizations or consider other financial possibilities.
Wise Use: Mainly use credit before salary appropriate and responsibly, avoiding constant application for such loans and observing repayment deadlines.
Conclusion
A payday loan is a tool that possibly useful in situations of short-term monetary problems. However, it should be used with caution, observing repayment deadlines and electing reliable lenders. Remember that financial security is an important nuance of your personal cards, and smart money planning will help avoid excessive monetary difficulties.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Across the world of rapidly changing money and variable costs sometimes situations arise where you need to get financial support until your next salary. In this context, a salary loan becomes one of the favorite monetary appliances. Let’s look at what kind of lending this is and how it can be can be useful.
1. Definition of Loan up to Wages
A loan up to wages is a short-term type of loans near me provided to the borrower on the terms of repayment on the day of receipt of his subsequent wages boards. Usually such loans have small amounts, and their purpose is to assist the borrower to cope with temporary financial difficulties until the subsequent payment of salary.
2. Superiorities of a loan up to Wages
Urgency: Pre-payday loans as usual are issued quickly, making them an pretty solution for those faced with sudden expenses .
Ease of Obtaining: The process of design of such loans is usually minimal. The borrower often must provide only basic information and proof of measured income.
No Lending History: For most loans up to wages there is no required verification of the lending history of the borrower, which is a big advantage for those , who do not have good lending history.
3. Features of Repayment and Interest Rates
Repayment Term: Usually the loan term until wages composes several weeks or until next wages of the borrower.
Refinance Rates: The rates on such loans may be higher than long-term loans since they are provided on a short-term basis and frequently do not require collateral.
4. Safety and Regulation
Legality and Regulation: Fundamentally choose only reliable monetary organizations and legitimate lenders, because regulation in this area helps prevent dishonest practices.
Safety of consumers: Laws and regulations ensure protection of consumers, including transparency of conditions of credit and provision of complete information about interest and fees.
5. Caution and Candidates
Consideration of Alternatives: Before applying for a loan up to salary, it is worth considering alternative options, including borrowing from friends or families, appeal to charitable organizations or consider other monetary possibilities.
Reasonable Use: Mainly use credit before wages reasonably and responsibly, avoiding constant application for such loans and observing repayment deadlines.
Conclusion
A payday loan is a tool that can be useful in situations of short-term monetary difficulties. However, it should be used with caution, observing repayment deadlines and electing reliable lenders. Remember that financial security is an important aspect of your personal cards, and smart financial planning will help avoid excessive financial difficulties.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Across the world of rapidly changing finance and variable costs sometimes situations arise where you need to get financial support until your subsequent salary. In this context, a salary loan becomes one of the fashionable financial appliances. Let’s look at is and how it can be can be useful.
1. Definition of Loan up to Salary
A loan up to wages is a short-term type of loans near me provided to the borrower subject to repayment per day of receipt of his subsequent salary. As usual such loans have small amounts, and their purpose is to assist the borrower to cope with temporary financial difficulties until the subsequent payment of salary.
2. Advantages of a loan up to Salary
Urgency: Pre-salary loans usually are issued quickly, making them an attractive solution for those faced with sudden expenses .
Ease of Obtaining: The process of design of such loans is as usual minimal. The borrower often require provide only basic information and proof of stable income.
No Credit History: For many loans up to salary there is no required verification of the lending history of the borrower, which is a big advantage for those , who do not have fair lending history.
3. Features of Repayment and Interest Rates
Repayment Term: Usually the loan term until salary is several weeks or until next wages of the borrower.
Interest Rates: The rates on such loans can be higher than long-term loans since they are provided on a short-term base and frequently do not require collateral.
4. Safety and Regulation
Legality and Regulation: Fundamentally choose only reliable financial organizations and legitimate lenders, since regulation here helps prevent negligent practices.
Protection of consumers: Laws and regulations provide protection of consumers, including transparency of conditions of credit and provision of complete information about interest and fees.
5. Prudence and Candidates
Consideration of Alternatives: Before applying for a loan up to salary, it is worth considering other options, such as borrowing from buddies or families, appeal to charitable organizations or consider other financial possibilities.
Wise Implementation: Mainly use credit before salary reasonably and responsibly, avoiding constant application for such loans and observing repayment deadlines.
Conclusion
A payday loan is a tool that can be useful in situations of short-term financial difficulties. However, it should be used with caution, observing repayment deadlines and choosing reliable lenders. Remember that financial security is an important aspect of your personal cards, and smart financial planning will help avoid excessive monetary difficulties.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Across the world of rapidly changing finance and variable costs sometimes situations appear where you need to get financial support until your subsequent salary. In this context, a wages loan becomes one of the fashionable financial appliances. Let’s look at is and how it can be can be useful.
1. Definition of Loan up to Salary
A loan up to salary is a short-term type of loans near me provided to the borrower subject to repayment per day of receipt of his next salary. Usually such loans have small amounts, and their purpose is to help the borrower to cope with temporary financial difficulties until the subsequent payment of wages.
2. Superiorities of a loan up to Salary
Urgency: Pre-payday loans as usual are issued quickly, making them an attractive solution for those faced with sudden expenses .
Ease of Obtaining: The process of design of such loans is as usual small. The borrower often require provide only basic information and confirmation of stable income.
No Lending History: For most loans up to wages there is no needed verification of the lending history of the borrower, which is a big advantage those , who do not have fair credit history.
3. Features of Repayment and Refinancing Rates
Repayment Term: Usually the loan term until salary is several weeks or until subsequent salary of the borrower.
Interest Rates: The rates on such loans can be higher than long-term loans since they are provided on a short-term basis and frequently do not require collateral.
4. Safety and Regulation
Legality and Regulation: Mainly choose only reliable financial organizations and legitimate lenders, since regulation in this area helps prevent unfair practices.
Protection of consumers: Laws and regulations provide protection of consumers, including transparency of conditions of credit and provision of complete information about interest and fees.
5. Prudence and Alternatives
Consideration of Alternatives: Before applying for a loan up to wages, it is worth inspecting other options, including borrowing from friends or families, appeal to charitable organizations or consider other financial possibilities.
Reasonable Implementation: Mainly use credit before wages wise and responsibly, avoiding constant appeal for such loans and observing repayment deadlines.
Conclusion
A payday loan is a tool that can be useful in situations of short-term monetary problems. However, it should be used with caution, observing repayment deadlines and electing reliable lenders. Remember that financial security is an important nuance of your personal cards, and smart financial planning will help avoid excessive monetary problems.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
In a world of of rapidly changing money and variable costs from time to time situations arise where you need to get financial support until your subsequent salary. In this context, a wages loan becomes one of the favorite monetary appliances. It is necessary to consider is and how it can be useful.
1. Definition of Loan up to Wages
A loan up to wages is a short-term type of payday loans provided to the borrower subject to repayment per day of receipt of his subsequent salary. As usual such loans have small amounts, and their purpose is to assist the borrower to cope with temporary financial difficulties until the subsequent payment of salary.
2. Superiorities of a loan up to Wages
Urgency: Pre-salary loans usually are issued quickly, making them an pretty solution for those faced with sudden expenses .
Ease of Obtaining: The process of design of such loans is usually small. The borrower quite often needs provide only basic information and confirmation of stable income.
No Lending History: For many loans up to salary there is no required verification of the credit history of the borrower, which is a big advantage those , who do not have good credit history.
3. Features of Repayment and Interest Rates
Repayment Term: Usually the loan term until wages is several weeks or until next salary of the borrower.
Interest Rates: The rates on such loans can be higher than long-term loans since they are provided on a short-term basis and frequently do not require collateral.
4. Safety and Regulation
Legality and Regulation: Fundamentally choose only reliable financial organizations and legal lenders, since regulation here helps prevent dishonest practices.
Safety of consumers: Laws and regulations ensure protection of consumers, including transparency of criteria of credit and provision of complete information about interest and fees.
5. Prudence and Alternatives
Consideration of Alternatives: Before applying for a loan up to salary, it is worth considering alternative options, such as borrowing from friends or families, appeal to charitable organizations or consider other financial possibilities.
Reasonable Use: Mainly use credit before salary appropriate and responsibly, avoiding constant appeal for such loans and observing repayment deadlines.
Conclusion
A payday loan is a tool that can be useful in situations of short-term financial problems. However, it should be used with caution, observing repayment deadlines and choosing reliable lenders. Remember that financial security is an important aspect of your personal cards, and smart money planning will help avoid excessive monetary problems.