August has Arrived with a Hot Breeze and a Sense of Chaos

The dog days of summer used to approach in July and fall into August, of which led to the start of fall sports and back to school shopping.  Today, however, August feels more like a chaotic mesh of last minute summer time enjoyment while balancing the realities that the "vacation" season official seems to end.

Looking at my calendar I cringe.  Every weekday is packed full of meetings and professional learning for teachers.  My weekends are jammed with last minute summer events - fairs, tractor pulls, races, and festivals.  And this does not include the house chores and canning that needs to be done.  Where does a person breath - and our little bundle of joy has not even arrived yet.  My friends with children have an even worse situation.  Sports are starting up, fair showing during the week, back-to-school prep, and the list goes on and on.  So what happened to August or is it more of what happened to the enjoyment of relaxation.

I recently read an article about how Americans are the worst at relaxation.  We are always on the go, never take a our full vacation time, and to be honest, are some of the most stressed out people on the planet.  Our world has changed with the development of email and cell phones.  Work seems to never leave us and we feel guilty if we shut down.  We are also starting to pass these traits on to our children.  No room for a childhood when it is crammed back with crazy schedules for sports, academics, and more!

My point is that perhaps we need to reevaluate our current situation.  I am just as guilty as most, always feeling like I should be working versus enjoying a quiet cup of coffee.  But as we have moved into August, I am trying to reassess what I have been doing.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job and hobbies, but perhaps I should learn to enjoy that cup of coffee on a Sunday morning versus gulping it down and moving on to the next activity.  There is something to be said for returning to our country ways.  Enjoy a sunrise when the dew is still wet and you can smell the musty corn pollen in the air.  Breath in the cooling air at sunset when the fire flies begin to jump around and dance.

Now, even though I can't change my calendar, I can learn to appreciate the moments.  Laugh at my meetings, be in the moment, and appreciate the hard work of the teachers around me.   If my presentation is not perfect, no one will know but me.  I need to also remember that I booked my weekend events out of enjoyment.  Our annual tractor show is meant to be a time to appreciate our roots, show off our collections, and encourage the next generation.  Not a time to be stressed, angry or frustrated with uncontrollable events around us.

I think this morning, as I leave my writing, I will go and enjoy that cup of coffee (with a little creamer), take a deep breath, and appreciate this last month of summer.  Before long I will be ranking leaves, picking apples, and watching the school bus drive by.

The Dripping Season

Have you ever noticed how spring brings on the “dripping” season in Michigan?  It begins with the ting, ting, ting of ice and snow slowly melting.  The first sight of grass, the smell of mud, and the possibility of temperatures over twenty, has you refusing to wear that winter coat.  Next comes the plop, plop, plop of sap flowing into buckets from the maple trees.  Knowing it is not quite time, you begin to plan that garden, craving to get out and clean the flower beds.  Then you hear it, the ping, ping, ping of rain hitting the roof. A sound so unfamiliar that it wakes you up in the  middle of the night and you look out the window just to make sure.  Finally the drip, drip, drip from the car wash removes the remaining salt from your truck, even though two miles down the road it will be covered with mud, and you don’t even care.

As spring arrives, and you say goodbye to old man winter, think of it as a time to appreciate the sounds around you.  From the dripping sounds, to birds chirping, and the putt putt from the John Deere 50 in the barn, all indicate a new beginning.  This is the time to take a moment to breath and become refreshed.  Take in the beautiful sun after a dark winter, open the windows to let in the fresh air, and take out the grill!  The dripping season is the calm before the storm.  Before spring break vacations, family Easter dinners, and Memorial day plans.  Before the last few days of schools, the Fourth of July, and the Annual MMOGTA Tractor Show.  Before the start of school and the leaves begin to fall.  The clocks have been changed for spring forward but don’t drip away the time.  Appreciate the sounds, sight, and smells of spring before they are gone.