Crammed

Summer break is like packing for a road trip. First, there’s a list of things to do. One for projects around the house. Declutter. Re-paint E’s now empty room and make it my own. Plant those seeds I picked up from the library, yes, the library. Clean all of the things that need deep cleaning: the fridge, windows, oven, the exterior of the house. Get into a routine, which I say every summer. But my routine consists of sleeping in and staying up late, honoring my night-owl nature that takes a backseat for ten months.

The next list is eating well, hydrating (not with mid-day mimosas), adding more workouts to my regular ones, trying new recipes. Today I made a pasta salad with peas, asparagus, and a ricotta-lemon-basil dressing I’ll be eating the rest of the week. I keep forgetting to cut our recipes in half. There’s a watermelon my husband brought home this afternoon added to the one already sliced and chilled in the fridge. No worries though, if we don’t eat it, we’ll drink it. Watermelon limeade for the teen and watermelon mojitos or margs for us.

Then there’s the reading list. By default of my profession, my 2023 reading list is announced every fall and chock-full of thirty middle grade titles. I’ve only read three so far, but I managed to bring too many home for summer break. I need options. That’s in addition to the books on my TBR list. Sometimes I buy the books instead because I’m a slow reader or the wait is long at the library. Currently, I’m reading The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. I don’t read it right before bed though, because I’m chicken and horror isn’t my go-to genre.

It’s birthday season in our family. Teen turns fourteen on Saturday and I’ve already managed to mess up one of the gifts. Sigh. I’m making those (mental) gift buying lists and will myself to at least get them sent during the birthday month. I’m a late gift giver. However, I’ve never had anyone turn down a belated birthday gift. I delivered one to a friend just last week. Her birthday was in March. I think the gift knew it would wait for June since we had a carefree, impromptu lunch date.

My list seems to get shoved way in the back. Sometimes it’s forgotten. I’m working it in. I signed up for a virtual crafting class this week. I treated myself to purchasing it. Last year I participated and didn’t buy it and I regretted it. I get access to the replays indefinitely as opposed to 24 hours. This allows me to attend to the musts. I managed to get play with two projects. I’m a perfectionist, so this one is hard for me. Instructors remind us not to worry about the finished project. Enjoy the process. Be patient. Take your time. Play.

And that’s what summer is about. You pack up your car and cram it with everything you need to get to your destination. But I have to remind myself to take a detour. Enjoy the ride. There’s no rush to get through summer. Sip on some water, sip on some watermelon concoction. Make mistakes and cover it up if need be. Or let it shine in all it’s beautiful glory.