summer {seasonal list love}

On or around the solstice/equinox, I share my List of Seasonal Dreams. These come together over the previous season and really fill out right about now. At the ‘official’ start.

While I’d say I excel at my spring and fall dreams — and I’m an all-star hunkerer come winter! — summer is the most ‘not me’ time of year.

(I know. This elicits screwed-up faces from people: ‘What? Are you crazy?!) (The answer is No. At least, I don’t think so.)

But even I took note when I considered this post. Let’s just say my Summer Dreams list looked…lackluster. And I wondered why.

Maybe it’s that spring was punctuated. There was build-up. Preparation. Execution. Celebration. There was some grief. A hurdle or two. And plenty of thanks.

Maybe it’s the ‘busy’ of transitional seasons. Spring and fall are historically preparatory; then, come winter and summer, we’re ‘in it.’ (Think ‘Ant and the Grasshopper.’ And Aesop lived in the 500’s BCE. So. The idea of a ‘seasonal list’ is nothing new!)

Anyway. My list was paltry. I almost passed on posting it. But instead, I stood back to see what was missing.

The answer was obvious! I’ll tell you about it on July 1.

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For now, a handful of what’s on my List of Summer Dreams ’23 —

: : ring in the Summer Solstice at the Pearl City Jazz concert

my dad’s best friend plays sax in this band; second from right

: : visit the Erie Art Museum and explore State Street on a rainy day

: : donate blood then schedule next round

: : attend Arise Chautauqua’s open house for volunteers (locals: check it out. This program in Jamestown is incredible. And it’s thriving!)

: : Westwinds reunion concert, July 9

: : a date with Troy @ Johnson Estate (where Linc works, making charcuterie boards for Flight)

: : make more chimichurri

: : …and variations on root beer floats

: : window boxes on the cottage

It’s coming along! Three of four sides are painted.

: : two new or new-to-me white tee shirts

: : experiment with basil simple syrup (like…add to strawberry seltzer water. and mango iced tea.)

: : notice my own negativity in thought or conversation — and ask why; what’s the source?

: : visit Eagle Bay shade nursery again…then stop at Liberty Vineyards

I’m starting these low-to-no maintenance shade lovers in our wooded zones.

: : choose dates for Fall Retreat; reserve stay

: : Monica Guzmán lecture at Chautauqua

: : family reunion @ iconic Midway State Park

Okay. Summer is delightful. (And really. I’ll explain myself in July’s One Word Prompt!)

What’s on your list this season?

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I’ll be back with our One Word Link Party, opening Monday, June 26th. Wishing you all good things ’til then —

xo