I love, love, love summer. I was on an academic calendar from the ages of five to 49, and I still feel the rhythms of that cycle. Summer means freedom and decadence. The freedom and decadence to sleep as late as I want on weekdays. The freedom and decadence to do hot yoga three times a week or more. The freedom and decadence to go to the farmers market and buy berries and peaches every week. The freedom and decadence to gorge on those berries and peaches. The freedom and decadence to go to the up u-pick blueberry farm during the week with my kids. The freedom and decadence of not having to respond to the endless barrage of student work.
Nowadays summer freedom and decadence means I can shed my blankets. I can’t regulate my temperature, since I have no muscles and very little fat, and I don’t move around. I use an electric blanket on top of a regular blanket for three-quarters of the year. No one ever sees my outfits. When it’s in the high 70s, I get to put away the electric blanket. When it’s in the 80s the regular blanket goes on my legs only, and that is only because it stays cool in my house (mature trees, nature’s air conditioner). Outside, I don’t need a blanket at all.
Along with feeling the rhythm of the academic cycle comes the dread of August 1st. As long as it’s July, teachers have a buffer of August before we have to turn our attention to the next school year. And the last week of August is always reserved for mandatory school district training, meetings, and kick off events.
I still feel that dread of August, although I have been retired for seven years. The good news is that when I was teaching, the freedom and decadence would become too much by the time I had to go back to work. The brutal thing was getting up early again. Now that I’m retired, I get to sleep as late as I want. ALS silver lining number five! 1
1 If you’re curious, here are the other silver linings:
- Falling in love with Barry.
- Learning that strangers will help me if I fall.
- Learning that friends will help me with all kinds of things.
- Being able to be home with my kids.
- Sleeping as late as I want.
- Not having to renew my National Board Teacher Certification for the second time.
- Not having to teach during the pandemic
Julia Chase
Hi Jessie,
What a fun read. 44 years is a long time to be on the rhythms of the summer cycle. Sounds like you took full advantage of it! And you still do, by:
1. Removing blanket layers.
2. Planting pollinator gardens.
3. Taking walks around the block.
4. Nurturing your family and friends.
5. Teaching us new concepts and historical facts.
6. Sharing yourself and what you have with others.
7. Writing entertaining, educational and motivational blogs!
Thank you for being YOU!
BTW – that is my quickly generated list of 7, but I know there are more!
With much love,
Julia
Mom
Wonderful, uplifting blog.
Sara Esrick
Love this! I feel exactly the same way about summer! Freedom! And for me, also so much sunshine in the PNW! And I get the August dread…for me it’s also about less light which feels very melancholy. Thanks for sharing, Jessie! 🥰☀️🥰
Jennifer Love
Dear Jess,
I love your reflections on the freedoms and decadence of summer! I have noticed that the public school teachers among my acquaintance seem to have a unique ability to appreciate the gifts of summer. And most of the teachers I know also, like you, seem to feel ready to return to the classroom as the summer draws to a close–although I can imagine how the early mornings would be a bit of a damper on that prospect!
I enjoyed reading this!
Love,
Jenny