Every year at this time I struggle with denial. I love summer and all the things one can do in the summer where I live. And it’s a wrench for me to admit that fall approaches. Leaves are dropping, somebody turned down the thermostat outside, days are getting shorter, and I’m still wearing sandals. Shivering sometimes, but wearing sandals just as long as I can stand it!
This year saying goodbye to summer seems especially poignant to me. Could be because we had unseasonably cool weather through July and it wasn’t until August that we really felt like summer arrived. Could be that I’ve really, really, really enjoyed the summer we had. This year, we sailed more than ever before – enough so we actually lost count of how many times we went out. And I loved, loved, loved it!
Maybe it’s denial talking, but I’m re-thinking that last sentence and deciding not to use past tense! I love, love, love sailing. And hope to do more of it before icy winds make it too unpleasant!
We’ve had some wonderful firsts with sailing this year. I’m pretty sure it’s the first time we ever sailed into September. First time we sailed 3 days in a row – on Labor Day weekend, just one week after that freak tornado made a mess of our club’s small stretch of lakefront. You wouldn’t believe the difference a week – and tons of work – made in that place!
First time we ever sailed at night and oh what a spectacular experience that was! Do you remember seeing the full moon the Friday of Labor Day Weekend? I hope it was as gorgeous where you were, but it might be hard for me to believe. There was just enough breeze to waft us and another half-dozen boats a mile or so down the lake and back while we watched the moon wax and daylight wane. Somebody aptly described the experience as ‘ghosting’ along on the water. White sails dim in the moonlight, quiet lapping of water on the bow, ghostly and glorious!
So with all those firsts in mind, I’m holding onto summer’s coat-tails with both hands, but with extreme awareness that regardless of what I do, time will do what time does. My resolve this month is to treat summer joys as if this might be the last time I’ll experience them in a while. Yesterday might have been our last sail of the season. Tonight might be our last cookout. And so forth. I actually doubt that either is the case. I certainly hope not. But if thinking it might be my last chance this year entices me to savor every second, well, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
And that’s where I am on this mid-September evening. Savoring. Right down to my ever so slightly chilly toes!
May your week be filled with all things savory as well!
Sally
This year saying goodbye to summer seems especially poignant to me. Could be because we had unseasonably cool weather through July and it wasn’t until August that we really felt like summer arrived. Could be that I’ve really, really, really enjoyed the summer we had. This year, we sailed more than ever before – enough so we actually lost count of how many times we went out. And I loved, loved, loved it!
Maybe it’s denial talking, but I’m re-thinking that last sentence and deciding not to use past tense! I love, love, love sailing. And hope to do more of it before icy winds make it too unpleasant!
We’ve had some wonderful firsts with sailing this year. I’m pretty sure it’s the first time we ever sailed into September. First time we sailed 3 days in a row – on Labor Day weekend, just one week after that freak tornado made a mess of our club’s small stretch of lakefront. You wouldn’t believe the difference a week – and tons of work – made in that place!
First time we ever sailed at night and oh what a spectacular experience that was! Do you remember seeing the full moon the Friday of Labor Day Weekend? I hope it was as gorgeous where you were, but it might be hard for me to believe. There was just enough breeze to waft us and another half-dozen boats a mile or so down the lake and back while we watched the moon wax and daylight wane. Somebody aptly described the experience as ‘ghosting’ along on the water. White sails dim in the moonlight, quiet lapping of water on the bow, ghostly and glorious!
So with all those firsts in mind, I’m holding onto summer’s coat-tails with both hands, but with extreme awareness that regardless of what I do, time will do what time does. My resolve this month is to treat summer joys as if this might be the last time I’ll experience them in a while. Yesterday might have been our last sail of the season. Tonight might be our last cookout. And so forth. I actually doubt that either is the case. I certainly hope not. But if thinking it might be my last chance this year entices me to savor every second, well, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
And that’s where I am on this mid-September evening. Savoring. Right down to my ever so slightly chilly toes!
May your week be filled with all things savory as well!
Sally
