The Erratic Poster

There is nothing more precious to childhood than long stretches of time off in the summer. Sleeping in, lazing around in the sunshine patch in a backyard, reading, riding bikes through the neighborhood, vacations--these are all hallmarks of a Norman Rockwell American summer.

I am hoping to have one of those summers, which means since I no longer have to rise early to get my pumpkin off to school, I will most likely NOT be posting at 8 a.m. for the next 3 months. In fact, the beauty of it is that I don't know what my schedule will be. That's also a little frightening because a little structure keeps me sane. I liked my morning routine during the school year, liked sitting down about the same time every morning and composing my thoughts. Now, I'm going to turn into an erratic poster and it just doesn't fit my self image.

(The Erratic Poster--is that a good name for a band? Maybe, The Erotic Poster, would be better. When I was reading about personal blogs someone said the only way to get return visitors to one's site was to write about sex all the time. If that wouldn't be enough to throw people off their morning Cheerios, I don't know what would, especially since I think I personally know so many of you readers and really, wouldn't that just be too much information, at any time of day? But I digress).

Perhaps, in between lazing around the backyard, reading, gardening and sewing projects--all designed with my tweener in mind to keep her active and engaged and out of my hair--I will figure out how to include an RSS feed in this blog so that those who routinely like to keep in touch will know when my musings have hit the blogosphere. Lord knows you wouldn't want to miss a pearl. Plus, I'm sure a routine will evolve in this summery phase of my life; maybe I'll become The Nighttime Blatherer; that'll be my new identity, though I'm not sure I like the handle any better.

In the meantime, even if you are one of those many folk who soldier on at their jobs during June, July and August, try and taste a bit of summer when you can--go for a walk at lunch in the fresh air, eat some watermelon and spit the seeds out at someone, where strappy sandals and flowy skirts, color your nails persimmon, bask in the sun (while wearing sunscreen and a hat), go for a bike ride, water your garden, or drink an infused martini under the stars.

Just remember to breathe in, breathe out and slow down. That's the true essence of summer, the feeling of time stretching endlessly in front of you and all your choices of how to spend that time are delightful. Enjoy.