Although my last connection to an academic calendar through work ended four years ago (when I lost my job post-diagnosis), I still resonate to this change of seasons. My youngest is in college and my husband teaches at a university, so I have ongoing reasons to consider this a pivotal time of year. My reactions are always mixed: appreciation for the adventures and the free time of summer; regret for all the remaining items on the to-do list; anticipation of a new routine; apprehension over worsening weather and lengthening nights.
This year, with the latest possible Labor Day, it seems like we have a "bonus week" of summer. I like it a lot, in the same way that I like the "fall back" time change of the fall. Gaining an hour, even if it throws my sleep schedule out of whack, seems like stealing from the gods somehow.
What is it like for you this year? What did you do on your summer vacation, in other words, if you had one at all? When you look back at the summer of 2015, what events and activities will you remember most?
I'll remember my first summer in our new house, which we enjoy tremendously even if the gardens were too much for me to get ahead of this year. I'll remember my delightful trips, all of which this year involved Kossacks: my long weekend to Philadelphia and NYC in May; the EPIC Glacier Park extravaganza in June, and a two-fer (in terms of meetups) in outstate Michigan earlier this month. I'll remember some not-so-pleasant elements, too, but those are not pertinent to our discussion here, fortunately.
If I could have a do-over, I'd go to bed and wake up earlier. I'd get out for a walk every day, rain or shine, hot or cold. I'd do more kayaking (and maybe even buy a used one). I'd spend more time outside generally.
The good thing is that this "bonus week" is not truly the end of the summer. Our decent weather should last well into October. That means I still have a little reprieve on good-weather activities. I can still clean out the garage and finish a couple of projects that need to be done with good ventilation. I might make some changes in the gardens and plant more perennials I like. Japanese anemones and Joe Pye Weed are at the top of my list.
My next scan and consult don't happen till early October. That gives me plenty more time to chill until my scanxiety ramps up. ;)
Please do share your highlights and lowlights as you see fit. Thanks for being here, tonight and all Mondays you can make it.
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