The long Memorial Day weekend is done, and summer is here.
Yesterday, during lunch, we talked about the time between now and Labor Day — what things were scheduled (a bunch), what we wanted to accomplish (a lengthy list), and a few quick trips we’d like to take (here, there, and yon).
Looking at the calendar, one thing is for sure: we’ve rolled out the crazy days of summer. And I have no worries that the weather will provide some hazy days.
What I’m concerned about are the lazy days.
In an effort to squeeze all the fun out of summer, sometimes we pack it too tight, fill it to the gills with a million things.
- I should plant a huge vegetable garden and take up canning instead of just talking about it.
- We really ought to go to the family reunion because old Aunt Agnes will be so disappointed if we’re not there again…and it would be fun to see the cousins.
- The kids really need to get their 4-H projects pulled together to take to the County Fair.
Each of those things may have merit, but they also take time.
A huge vegetable garden is also a huge undertaking. It need to be weeded, watered, and tended (so you better not be planning a two week vacation). Then it takes even more time to prep the food and jars for canning or freezing, not to mention the time for the canning itself.
That family reunion is a ten-hour car ride one way. Is twenty hours in the car a good trade for a two hour dinner?
And does it matter if your kids enter only a couple of their absolute favorite projects? Will staying up half the night baking biscuits, cornbread, banana bread, cookies, and muffins make a better memory when they’re older?
Instead, what if we chose to spend time:
- driving a two-lane blacktop with the windows down and no particular destination in mind.
- watching the sunset from the Adirondack chair that you bought specifically for that purpose.
- listening to a baseball game on the radio on a Sunday afternoon.
- meandering through the farmer’s market looking for something for supper.
- reading a “beach book” even if you aren’t at the beach.
- reveling in the smell of burgers and hot dogs on the grill.
What if this summer we make an effort to step off the rat wheel and not feel guilty?
What if this is the summer we make doing absolutely “nothing” part of the plan?
What if we make a point of giving ourselves time to recharge and renew with unscheduled time that simply unfolds in front of us.
Time that doesn’t involve being stuck in lots of traffic, trying to find parking spaces, and standing in long lines.
Here’s to a lazy summer. Who’s with me?
Can’t agree more. From my childhood when we were thrilled to have a fan, because nobody had air, we remember the finding a shade tree, riding in the car with windows down, sitting on the front porch shelling peas, etc. The joy of quiet times without noise is going to be a difficult lesson for the kids now.
We must have had the same childhood. Lol! No A/C and shelling peas. Clothes drying on the line. Making funny sounds talking into fans.
I am having a lazy summer enjoying the cool Southern California weather and planning a few quilts. Maybe some replanting of the house plants and some evening beach time with the hubby.
Sounds idyllic. The whippoorwills are calling here, and the air smells of summer. ❤️
By 9:00 PM, it was finally cool enough to sit on the back porch. My husband and I have already spent several evenings this way. The sound of the cicadas is very soothing.
❤️❤️❤️ Glad the chorus of summer cicadasprovided some background music. They sound so soothing before bedtime.
YES!
❤️
Oh how I remember playing outside until dark, swinging, running, playing kickball, jump rope, hopscotch. Watching a summer thunderstorm roll in bringing cooler air. Sleeping with Windows open and a fan blowing. I loved those days.
I remember them, too. I live in my grandmother’s house, and it was built in 1947 and has windows designed to generate a cross breeze. I love it when we can have all the windows open.
I live in northern Ontario, and don’t grow vegetables. I go to the Farmers Market and spend time on the deck or in the front screen porch. I am trying to stay off of my phone and enjoy…just enjoy.
That sounds positively wonderful! Putting down the phone is a big one!!