Something has been different for me this summertime because the livin’ is easy and the livin’ hasn’t been “summertime” easy for me in quite some time. Don’t get me wrong, my writing and publishing consulting keeps me very busy and I’d say busier than I’d ever been, for which I’m grateful. Still, I feel as though I’m actually able to enjoy the season this year and I think it’s due to several reasons.

 

First, after last summer while trying to sell my very small Cape Cod in order to buy back the house my ex and I sold in 2002 due to our divorce agreement, I spent time having to court buyers and always making sure the house was available for view. Fortunately, by the end of July a young couple decided it was right for them, but then I had to deal with inspections and all the legalities that come with selling and buying a house. And this was during the time when I traveled six hours one way for several weeks to the Adirondacks, having been invited to be Director and Writer-in-Residence for Old Forge Library. It was a delightful drive and gave me time to mourn the recent death of my mother by blasting my favorite tunes and letting the tears fall. But before I knew it, my house was sold, my stint as writer-in-residence concluded and summer was over. 

 

That where-did-the-summer-go-feeling was how I’ve felt for the last few years, though. I realize now it was from the time I had to move out of the house that meant home for me… but now I’m back! Unlike my Cape Cod, which had to have the windows closed in order for the central air to help keep the upstairs bedrooms comfortable, I have had all my windows opened in my old Colonial home this summer and enjoying the cool breezes that flow through. Granted, it’s an unusually cooler summer this year, but because I get to hear the sounds of chirping birds and neighborhood children playing outside instead of the hum of air conditioning, I feel as though I’m a participant in the season. Don’t get me wrong, I still have some traveling to do this summer for events that I’ll be doing, so it won’t all be a matter of kicking back. Yet, I plan to squeeze some site-seeing in between the gigs.

 

However, when I return home, I’ll saunter into my backyard and drop into my hammock in the shade of the maple tree before the leaves turn their vibrant cool colors.  Without a doubt, I will have fond memories of the summer of 2009.