Slowing summer down . . .

Alice and the Hatter:
Alice: What a funny watch! It tells the day of the month, and doesn't tell what o'clock it is!
Hatter: Why should it? Does your watch tell you what year it is?
Alice: Of course not, but that's because it stays the same year for such a long time together.
Hatter: . . . which is just the case with mine.

You all know this: Time management is a problem for me. I don't like watching the clock, don't like watching the calendar . . . don't wear a watch, and recently moved my kitchen clock to a somewhat more out-of-the-way location so I wouldn't catch sight of it without trying. But even in my peculiar wonderland, time passes. Summer's slipping away, and though I try to hold to the concept of the astronomical end of summer, Sept. 21, years of academic conditioning have led me to sense summer's psychological end, during these precious last weeks of August.

I have a checklist for summer, and time is running out.
On the plus side, I have been to the beach, and been swimming in the ocean several times, though not nearly enough.
The little summer house (glorified tent) is set up, and I have spent many pleasant hours reading in the yard, in the evening.
I've spent good time in my hammock, my absolute favorite spot at home.

But . . . I missed Shakespeare on the Common this year--first time ever, haven't been to Jacob's Pillow yet, haven't made much of a dent in my "summer reading" list--soon to be converted to my "fall reading" list, haven't been to a Red Sox game.

Feeling urgency about filling up summer seems counterproductive--summer should be about relaxing, being outdoors as much as possible, preferably with friends and family, watching the Meteor Showers, hugging trees--Therefore, I resolve to celebrate the rest of August appropriately. For example, by trying NOT to fit too much into a day, or into a season.

Wishing you all a relaxing end-of-summer! Let us wander, sip, look off into space . . .
And eat popsicles and ice cream (check out Christina's in Cambridge!) www.christinasicecream.com

And buy a pie at Allandale Farm. www.allandalefarm.com

Swing on the swings at Milennium Park. http://kitingusa.com

Drink ice coffee! Ok, I'll stop now . . .