Summer's End
Today was the perfect last day of summer, insofar as such things are measured by the academic calendar. After visiting Provincetown with Tish a few weeks ago and remembering that the beach is AWESOME (a surprisingly easy thing to forget if you grew up in the mountains, like I did) we gathered a posse together for one last summer fling. Getting everybody rounded up this morning was a bit chaotic, but by early afternoon we had ensconced ourselves at Crane Beach with mild_mannered, queen_of_wands, motive_nuance, and redheadedmuse, along with Rio and Serena. There was food, there was cold beer, there was digging in the sand, swimming, conversation, lounging around, and attempting to fly a kite. The weather was perfect, the water was amazing, and I was surrounded by many of the people I love best. On the way out we stopped at Russel Orchards for produce and cider donuts, and then Tish, mild_mannered and I went onto to Woodman's in Essex, where we gorged ourselves on steamers and fried clams. Now we are home again, all the beach gear is put away, and I have showered and done mundane things like put away the laundry and done some dishes. Soon Tish and I will curl up and watch some West Wing, and then to bed.
Tomorrow the semester starts. I have lunch with my co-tutor at the ARC tomorrow, and then a few hours on campus to fiddle around before I teach. I have my class roster, a finished syllabus, and a course calendar. I have no idea what I'm wearing tomorrow--usually I wear my suit on the first day, but it will be too warm for that tomorrow--but my closet is full of appropriately professional garments and I'm sure I'll come up with something that will make me look enough like a grown-up for the students to take me seriously. I am ready to get back to teaching and back to a more solid rhythm for my life. Today was wonderful, a gift, but there are many many things about this summer that I will not miss. I hope that as the earth turns towards the cold seasons that I can keep this energy alive within myself, fueling me along my path until the warmth comes around again.
Tomorrow the semester starts. I have lunch with my co-tutor at the ARC tomorrow, and then a few hours on campus to fiddle around before I teach. I have my class roster, a finished syllabus, and a course calendar. I have no idea what I'm wearing tomorrow--usually I wear my suit on the first day, but it will be too warm for that tomorrow--but my closet is full of appropriately professional garments and I'm sure I'll come up with something that will make me look enough like a grown-up for the students to take me seriously. I am ready to get back to teaching and back to a more solid rhythm for my life. Today was wonderful, a gift, but there are many many things about this summer that I will not miss. I hope that as the earth turns towards the cold seasons that I can keep this energy alive within myself, fueling me along my path until the warmth comes around again.