It’s summer, day 9 to be precise. I am a counter. I count the days and I try to make the time count, too. Sometimes I do, sometimes I come up short, but I am reminded that

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens…. Ecclesiastes 3:1

It reminds me to do better and to be present.

I am at the lake for a short trip, and I am headed home early Monday morning to do some of the things I said I’d do when summer came and so far, it’s a work in progress. This morning I awoke to a silent lake and fog lifting off the surface and hanging over the lake. It happens when warmer water interacts with cooler air – it’s science in action and I love how it looks in the early morning light.

I re-read last year’s summer post Three things for a mid-June Sunday morning and I did well in 2021. I wrote when I could, and I enjoyed the backyard birds and even branched out to birding by the lake. I re-centered myself last summer and I think last school year was my best year as an educator, yet there is still room for growth, there always is.

Today’s post will be the first post of my 13^th year of blogging. Oh, how far I have come and yet I have never left where I began. I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish this summer. Every summer is different and this year I have 73 days of summer to accomplish whatever I choose.

Each summer I set out to work on relationships, fitness, health, adventure, reading, being present, and being prepared and mentally ready when school starts in the fall. Some summers have been better than other, but each summer I grow and learn even just a little bit.

I want to continue to work on me and do many of the things I said I’d do when I have more time in the summer. #becuaseIsaidIwould

I have an ambitious plan this summer to go on a solo week-long baseball trip this summer. I been dreaming of going to all 30 of MLB’s home fields before, well you know, I am no longer able. So, this summer I am going to a week of baseball – 7 cities, 7 games, and 10 teams – and I am going to get to see my favorite team, the Houston Astros twice. I’ll grow my list of baseball cities to 18 and my venues to 20 – a couple of teams are on their second stadiums.

I am excited. I hope to check in with a long-time friend, visit my grandparents’ graves, and maybe see a game with another friend or two to wrap up the trip.

I am also excited about continuing to grow and learn, too and to give back more than I take. It’s going to be an amazing summer and I’ll continue to write and post my adventures and insights along the way.

I have more in the works, but the day is starting, and I need to get moving so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count since 1961 and writing about it since 2010. It’s gonna be a great day…

What are your BIG plans for the summer?