Summer, Summer, Summer

Posted by MJ Frederick, 06/11/08 03:00 PM

Remember that Cars song? I think the actual title was “It’s Magic,” but those lyrics have been playing in my head all week. See, I’m a 4th grade teacher, and this is my first week of summer vacation. I’ve found, as I’ve started my life of leisure (yeah, right, housecleaning and revisions), that I appreciate some things people take for granted.

1) Sun tea. I bought a big beautiful jar at Target, and I’ve made sun tea twice, and drank most of it myself. I will say my rings are looser!

2) Hearing the garbage truck go by. It’s like a fresh start – I’ve cleaned the house, disposed of trash, and now it’s gone and I can start over.

3) Hearing the church bells at noon. We have 2 churches within 3 blocks of the house and both ring bells at noon. They’ve worked it out, though, so that the Catholic church plays its melody, then the Presbyterian church. It’s very old fashioned and very soothing.

4) Being able to clean house and then enjoy it. Okay, not the cleaning (ugh) but having a clean house.

5) Being able to enjoy my hibiscus. I have a ton of hibiscus plants. Each flower blooms for only one day, so they’re like a reminder to enjoy each day as it comes.

6) Watching my sprinklers. I love the rhythm of it. Water is so relaxing. And it’s fun to see all the birds come take a shower.

7) Soaking in the sunshine before the heat of the day. When you work in a cinder block classroom with one narrow window for 9 months, you get outside when you can. Of course, this is Texas, so you get out in the AM and you get out in the PM. Still, I feel energized after sitting outside.

8) Watching my cats play in the backyard. They don’t get to go out when we’re not home, so they’re taking full advantage now, running out with the dog in the morning, coming in for a nap, then going back out at supper. When they’re out, they chatter at birds and squirrels, rub themselves in the dirt and chase bugs. Oh, and eat grass, then hack it up on the clean floor.

9) Running out to pick up lunch. We get 30 minutes for lunch at school, not enough time to go pick something up, so I pack sandwiches Every Single Day. That gets OLD. So far, we’ve had McD’s, tacos, Panda Express and Chick-Fil-A.

10) Staying up late. Last night I read till 1:30 – glorious and guilt free!

What do you love about summer?

Category: | 06/11/08 03:00 PM

Comments: [2]

  1. 1 Devilish Southern Belle

    I love:

    Baseball season: taking my 14 y.o. to practice, and watching his games.

    Sitting on my back deck at night, under the moon and stars, with a cold beer or glass of champagne, listening to all my favorite music on my mp3 player. OR sitting there at dusk with a cold beer or sweet tea, and a good book :)

    Being able to sleep in on the days I don’t have to work.

    Travel. I love road trips with friends to see our favorite bands, and not having to make a ton of arrangements for my teens, their school and extracurriculars. I love going to the beach with friends. The ocean is so soothing. And I’d love to be able to hit some amusement parks with my sons!

    Like you, reading into the wee hours of the morning.

    Comment by Devilish Southern Belle · Jun 12, 02:12 AM
  2. 2 Taryn Blackthorne

    I’m a teacher too. My main problem is that I’m also naturally a night owl. In summer, I can stop fighting my body’s natural rhythm and stay up until 4 am or so, then sleep through til noon.

    I also love the fact that I can enjoy my house, cuddle with my kitty and read anything and everything I want without worrying about jobs. Summer is when I marathon in my writing as well.

    At least I do when I have a permanent position. This summer I’ll be working to pay the rent and life will not be so fun…

    Comment by Taryn Blackthorne · Jun 12, 01:25 PM

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