Summer, Despite Itself

Berry picking on the Hood River Fruit Loop

So it’s the second-to-last day of August, and it’s raining. 2010 was the Summer That Wasn’t in Portland, but somehow, despite that, our experience of summer has been much more satisfying than last year’s (see The Best of Both Seasons, below). We’re all ready (and I mean I’m ready) for school to begin again. And I’ve heard the same from other families. Here are four things that I think made the difference:

1. We took breaks between camps. In between weeks that were crammed full of work for me and Mike and camp activity for the girls, we took the risk of having a week here and there that was, uh, unscheduled. Which was a little scary for Mom, I must say. Especially when Mom needs to be bringing home some bacon every week. But with well-timed play dates and help from family (and ok, if you must know, Walt Disney did his share too) we survived. The plus was, we got a little time that felt different from the regular school year, where we had the freedom to sleep in, meander the neighborhood, visit with friends and do as we please.

2. We bought a family pass to Wilson High Pool, which ensured we swam a LOT. Especially in the 3.5 days this year when it was truly hot.  Walking home with wet towels over our shoulders, smelling like chlorine and Banana Boat and munching bags of over-salty, oddly bright-yellow popcorn, we were creating memories we could anchor around.

Behind the scenes at NW Trek Wilderness Park

3. We road-tripped and camped. Summer without at least one road trip is like grocery shopping without hitting the wine aisle – it’s just not acceptable.  Our adventures weren’t epic – mostly to Southern Oregon; one to Eastern Oregon, and a couple of small camping trips sprinkled in– but we kept our family adventure cred. And we still have Labor Day!

4. We gardened. Well, when I say “gardened” I mean we planted approximately $46 worth of seeds and starts with the premature (it turns out) pride of being both self-sufficient and thrifty (a veritable recession-era Victory Garden is what I envisioned). That investment of cash and energy has thus far yielded 4 small, but might I say delicious, strawberries, one under-ripe cherry tomato (from the Charlie Brown Christmas tree of sad, spindly tomato plants – seriously, who grows a cherry tomato plant with but a single tomato??), and enough basil to maybe garnish a tiny cup of soup. But, hey, the girls had a great time watering. So what that I have to explain to them each evening why we’re not out harvesting our bounty for dinner like our overachieving neighbors? Just gives us more time to watch Disney!

That's my quick assessment. And I'm curious, how did it go for you? How did you feel about summer this year? Are you ready to go back to Fall's routine? Let me know - and happy Labor Day!

The best of both seasons

The kids went back to school today, making it official: summer's over.

Time to show the sunny months -- with their adventure, freedom and weekends that start Friday at 3 -- the door. And as they walk out, you stand up a little straighter, pat your hair into place and look the back-to-business months of fall square in the eye. Sigh good-naturedly. Invite them in to set up shop in your favorite chair. Ask what they need, and then go get it. You know it's time.

In reflecting on this changing of the seasonal guard today -- as I catalogued our summer activities, wondered where two-plus months went, and felt a little shell-shocked by how dramatically one day can change the communal zeitgeist -- I wondered how the two sides of us - Summer Us and Fall Us - might mix. The best parts of both, working together to make us adventurous, free of spirit AND productive. As we move into the comforting routines of September, whether it be at work, in school, or at home, how do we hang on to the special joy of summer, with dinners on the patio and kids playing until after dark, while also enjoying the autumnal satisfaction of a misty day spent ticking off boxes on the meaty to-do list we neglected for three months?

I for one will try, as an experiment. How? Perhaps by injecting a little more spontaneity into the predictable structures that school-time brings our family. Maybe skip a school event and head to the beach for some storm-watching and indoor s'mores making. Maybe it's a November trip to a yurt. Or splurging on fresh berries in October. Or maybe it's just an attitude, reflected in subtle ways: A bright color worn on a dark day. A dinner revolving around fresh herbs and good tomatoes for as long as one can get them. A willingness to let the kids stay up late one night, even though we'll all be wrecks the next day.

The point isn't to deny the seasonal rhythms our ancestral beings need. Nor is it to eschew the renewed focus on the practical, the predictable, the work of life that we all seem to aspire to in fall. It's about acknowledging that, like old friends, maybe you don't need to shut one out in order to enjoy the other. And in mixing them, you may find some pleasant surprises.