Summer

The days give way so fast...

I know that every season is equally divided into 3 months. That would be 4 seasons times 3 months or 12 months of the year. But for some reason, though, summer seems to go by alot quicker than all the other seasons. I simply can’t figure that one out.

Well, ok, winter drags on, especially here in the northeast of North America, because, well… cold, snow, sleet, ice, freezing temperatures and having to wear so much clothing that you cease to present a human outline. So winter always just seems to take so much longer than needed. I also think that’s because winter doesn’t actually start until Christmas, or winter solstice, just when we are actually ready for spring to begin. At least at that time, the days, aka sunshine, do start to get longer again. (I do love how we decide that a day is only when the sun shines. How the solstice is either the longest or shortest day of the year. A day remains 24 hours no matter which season happens to come along.And yes, saw that little dose of reality mentioned on substack.)

Meanwhile, back to summer, but first of course, spring. Honestly, I love spring, because the earth is reawakening. The birds return and the flowers start to bloom. Well not all the flowers, not all at once. One of the nicer things about gardening, is that you can create a rolling flower garden. I have. Well, not exactly me. First it was the landscaper, then after that the husband.

You will not catch me digging in dirt. Oh no. I would prefer to clean toilets rather than dig in dirt. And don’t talk about trying to grow my own vegetables. I tried growing beefsteak tomatoes one year. Got 1 tomato, which grew to the size of a cherry tomato. The next year we bought one of those planter boxes, and put in miracle grow dirt and took really good care. I wanted an herb garden…I killed everything. So I have come to the conclusion in the event of an apocalypse, where we would need to grow our own vegetables, if the husband can’t do it, we are going to have to finally go paleo.

Yes, summer. I actually love the heat. Not to the extent that I would live without air conditioning. I am not a luddite. But I do have to venture outside occasionally during the day to get away from the cold. Even with a heat dome, the cold air just becomes too much. I have taken to wearing a sweatshirt over my clothes during the day while I am inside my home. Maybe that’s a sign of old age too. Needing to live in the cold air to not die of heat stroke, but needing to supplement your body temp with the outside heat. Is it thinning blood?

Meanwhile, the summer is just flying by. Next week is Fourth of July. Personally , my favorite American holiday (more on that next time). And yes, there is still all of July and August for summer. And truthfully, summer doesn’t actually end until September 21 or thereabouts. Some years on 21, some 22 and even 23. (I never can figure out the astrophysical workings of the world. I just go along with what the brain trusts tell me as to the wheels of time.)

It is a little disconcerting though, when you start seeing Christmas decorations midsummer. I do wish corporate America would go back to rational sales timing when it comes to holidays. Christmas in July, Halloween on Labor Day, Valentine’s Day in October, just takes the fun out of everything.

So here we are just past the summer solstice. The “days” are starting to get shorter. I had actually remarked to the husband how the shadows looked more fall than summer. Not sure how that even made sense. (This was even preheatdome) It felt like the shadows were rushing the days as well.

I think perhaps things feel that they move so fast because we actually do not slow down like we used to during the summer. There is no laconic holiday at the beach (well for our family at least). Days at the swimming pool, or neighborhood BBQs are nonexistent. (yes we open our grill and cook outside as much as possible. Heck, makes the kitchen cleanup that much easier) Life just goes on as it always has. Work. Weekend. Activities.

I used to say that during the pandemic we were the only family whose routines didn’t really change. Except the hubby would take advantage of the early morning shopping for those over 60. (Always wondered if this was really something good or bad. Never actually figure it out) So, we are also the only family that I know whose routines don’t change very much during the summer as well. Again, thinking it’s not a bad thing really, except when it isn’t good. But change, or upsetting the apple cart, is not something my family does very well. So to keep peace and quiet, we do the same old, same old.

I suppose familiarity in life is what is needed at times. Especially when there seems to be so much upheaval happening in the world at present. There is enough ups and downs that come naturally without having to tempt the fates. On the other hand, if I could figure out what to do for a change, other than sit on my screened in porch, I would do it. I just can’t come up with anything.

And just so you know, I love my screened in porch. When we bought our house so many decades ago, having a screened in porch was my 1 requirement, other than at least 2 bathrooms.

By the way, I am planning to take a long weekend Fourth of July, however. To actually not work. For a personal change in routine. To sit and do nothing except maybe celebrate all things red, white and blue…