Summer Time Contest

I live in a part of the United States that has a lot of weather/seasonal changes. In the winter, we deal with snow and ice - of course, not enough snow for my sons, who would love to sled more. Fall brings us the beauty of the leaves changing colors and crisp air. Spring returns the green to our grass and trees, with flowers blooming at different intervals to brighten the days.

Then we have summer. Warm summer breezes that make you feel good about everything. Mixed with the extreme heat, sunshine and the possibilities of thunderstorms. Since I'm originally from this area, I don't mind the thunderstorms. For the most part, that's when we get some relief from the heat as the rain cools everything off.

Summer time is also when this area tends to slow down a bit. Some businesses have their employees come in a little earlier in the morning so they can leave earlier in the evening and enjoy the extra hours of daylight. Most children are out of school for part of the summer months. Sports camps, church camps, scout camps. . . they all have their prime seasons during June, July, and August. Public and private swimming pools are open and you can hear kids splashing and hollering to each other during the day. We have a neighborhood pool close by and I've been helping this year with the running of the pool. My major responsibility is making sure we have a lifeguard on duty each afternoon and it's been fun to have a 'reason' to go down to the pool every so often.

Because as I've become 'more adult,' I've forgotten about the joy of summer time. Those carefree days when you could run around outside and play, without worrying about a coat and hat and mittens. Running through the neighbor's sprinkler as you hurried to a friend's house to see what mischief was on the day's agenda. Rolling down a grassy yard just because it was there. Staying up late to watch the fireflies come out and aahing at that magical moment when their lit up bodies rose from the grass and flew off into the night.

Summer also seems to be the time of year when it's 'okay' to read for pleasure. Certain books are even designated as 'great beach reads' and magazines include lists of books to take on your vacation. Just like we throw off the heavy coats of winter, we can throw off the heavy responsibility of reading 'enlightening books' that help us grow and mature. A friend mentioned she had been waiting until summer to read my latest book - even though her job goes year round. A mindset that we tend to have drilled into us at some point in life.

This summer I've resolved to enjoy more of the longer days; to go to the pool for no reason at all; to read books that touch and intrigue me, whether a beach read or not; to explore the area around me. As Alexander Green says in his book, The Secret of Shelter Island: "Life is not a practice round. This is it."

What about you? Any special summer plans? And what books - besides your own - would you recommend for a read, summer or otherwise? I'll pick one lucky commenter and send a copy of my book for you to read. . . now or whenever!

No boredom..

I have this friend who has a little complaining problem. She’s often telling me that she’s bored.

I can’t relate. I bite my tongue and nod, and sometimes say (I’m embarrassed to admit) little condescending things like, “Gee, I hope things get better for you.” Or “That must be hard.” But I don’t really know what that feels like.

One reason for this, I’ve decided, is that I’m connected to, and care about, a zillion friends and extended family members. Someone is ALWAYS having one big life crisis or another. I include myself here, having occasionally been called a “fiasco magnet”.

Sometimes these problems are seriously bad, like divorce, job loss, illness, or even death. Sometimes they are difficult things like losing a cat, getting a rejection letter, or (if you have a teenager) having a seriously bad hair day.

Any of these things can keep emotions running high, and the occasional moments of absence is something to celebrate with a great deal of gratitude. I can sure do without the drama of these negative and painful things.

There is also the other end of the scale, the “good things.” In this list, we can include things like marriages, new babies, kittens and puppies, buying a house, or selling a book.

Sometimes there is a void in this list too. These are rare moments when “real life” takes a rest. Probably that’s where the idea of boredom might come in.

I've figured out why I’m immune. I’m a writer. Even when life is crisis free (hooray!) and there’s nothing new to celebrate (boo!), there’s no end to the little dramas I can make up in my mind at any moment in time. I can be home, or in the line at the supermarket, or driving down the highway. New characters, new plot lines, and escalating conflict are tons of fun and never ending on those “life quiet” days. My mind is always off and running.

This is one reason I’m really glad to be a writer. I seem to live in a “no boredom zone”.

Why are you glad to be a writer (other than those giant advance and royalty checks, right?)?