When I was young, summers were spent close to home. My mom was a teacher and July - August meant she didn’t get paid those months. Camp was too pricey for four kids. Vacation was time at my grandparents’ homes, both lived within thirty minutes of each other in the Berkshires. We swam until our hair was chlorine fried and walked “downstreet” for candy when we were bored. Summer days were generally spent hanging out. Nowhere to go and plenty of time to do it. But I knew when my mom started taking us to school to ready her classroom for another year that summer was over.
The delicious possibility of getting sixteen gangly limbs on a pool floatie.
What is your signal that summer is over? The change of hours at the farmers market (booo!) The shiny scent of pencils and notebooks coating the air in Staples? We look to social signals like advertisements or “coming soon” previews on social media so we can keep up and stay current. Not miss out. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that (I do it too) but I wonder if our own signs (when the mosquitos abate, opening windows at night, Labor Day weekend) are a way we can maintain some control and comfort in a life that goes by very fast indeed.
The way the light shines through the leaves as they begin to wane. The sound of crickets/insects all day long. The change in light as the days shorten and the touch of color that appears in the August yellow-green leaves. We have entered the melancholy days of summer.
Oh yes! That's a brilliant one. A few teachers here can relate to that one. Shout-out to the teachers on here that I appreciate and love...including you, Gloria. Big hug and thanks for sharing your signal summer is over.
For me it's that first hint of crisp autumn air ...
Oh yes! Mmmm…I love that because to me it means summer lingers! Thanks for reading Allison.
The way the light shines through the leaves as they begin to wane. The sound of crickets/insects all day long. The change in light as the days shorten and the touch of color that appears in the August yellow-green leaves. We have entered the melancholy days of summer.
Such beauty in this change, Molly! I love that you see those small bits. Thank you for reading and sharing.
When I get my Back to School email that is the signal that it's over...the fun and perfection of summer is done.
Oh yes! That's a brilliant one. A few teachers here can relate to that one. Shout-out to the teachers on here that I appreciate and love...including you, Gloria. Big hug and thanks for sharing your signal summer is over.