It’s Wednesday and Day 64. The past week has been my last full week of summer break. The school year restarts for me this coming Monday and Thursday for our students. I am excited and a little sad as I am every summer when school restarts.
“The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.”
― E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
The past couple of nights we’ve had severe weather pass through the area. It’s that time of the year when thick humid unstable air masses cause thunderstorms to develop late in the day. Monday’s weather spawned six tornadoes which touched down to the west of us in mostly rural areas causing damage trees and minor damage to structures. We got very little rain from the storm.
Last night’s storms rolled through the area bringing more rain, but no tornadoes.
Yesterday, our school hosted an event for our incoming sixth graders. Even though school hasn’t started I went in to help and be a welcoming face, answer questions, and help supervise. I met many of my new students who likely will remember me more than I will them, there were a lot new students wandering the hallways. It was a fun time and I snapped yesterday’s Summer Days photo of students playing Connect 4 on a giant game board. It’s a fun game for two people to play.
This year we will be starting school completely in-person. In early July we were mask optional but in late July the governor mandated masks in all public schools across the state. I am hoping we can make it through the year without having to teach via ZOOM.
I am working outside this morning at my summer office in view of the bird feeders which were completely empty when I returned home a week ago. I refilled them last Thursday morning and at first there were no takers. But the birds have returned in force as well as a bold bunny nibbling on the seed remnants beneath the feeder. Fern is only a few feet away, but unable to chase. The bunny and Fern both know their limits.
I can hear the crickets in the evening and the birds throughout the day and they say summer is winding down. Monday night marked the last time that the sun will set after 8 PM until next spring. They know.
Today is gonna be a great day I know it and I can feel it. The days of summer are winding down and I suspect that tomorrow could be a million and six times better, but I going to focus on today. So, I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, even when the days lead to a new year and new opportunities.
What has nature been whispering to you this past week?
Quick! Best move to England where school doesn’t start till early September. But move back to the States in the summer, as schools here work till late July 😉
Sounds like wonderful idea but I’d probably never want to come back. Summer break is the prefect audition for getting ready for retirement! It’s closer than I realize. Every year I get closer to the time when I can hang up my chalk. But I love what I do and so far what drives me crazy about teaching is a small pebble, not a big rock. WA week from this moment I will have eager students yearning to learn in my classroom. It’s gonna be a great year – a million and six times better than last year!
With your enthusiasm, I’m sure it will!
Thank you Margaret, enthusiasm indeed.