Summer's End

Dallas, home, and seasonal transitions. Also, Taylor Swift.

I’ve read a lot recently about the end of summer, as if we’re all beginning to shake the sand from our towels and send the kids to gather the beach toys. There may be a few weeks yet for some, but the season is fading. And you know what? I’m ready. 

Earlier this month, after a week of travel, we began the trip home with a delay, which landed us in Dallas for a night. Instead of an afternoon in flight, we found ourselves crammed in a hotel shuttle, luggage piled in our laps, triple-digit heat shimmering over the concrete landscape. When I peeked over my shoulder and caught my 15-year old in the back row of the van, nodding his head to Salt-N-Pepa blasting from the tinny speakers, we both dissolved in laughter at the absurdity of the situation. This was not the plan, but we managed to find some humor through our exhaustion.

Does this photo make you feel hot? Because it was seriously hot in Texas.

The next day, as our plane descended, we spotted my oldest’s high school from the air before touching down. Emerging from the airport into the most glorious 73-degree afternoon, I felt my heart swell; the crisp line of lavender-tinged mountains, set against a rich blue California sky, welcomed us home. After two days of crack-of-dawn flights and three thousand miles, in a world of heat domes and wildfires, I felt overcome with gratitude. We never know what each day will bring, but in that moment, a heavenly Santa Barbara breeze whispered over my skin. Not only were we home, but home was here.

School started this week for my boys. Somehow, depending on my mood and sense of humor, I feel like I either limp through these seasonal, school-related transitions, shoving my boys over the finish line, or we’re charging through like a herd of elephants. Either way, after our detour in Dallas and a late summer bout of covid in our house, it’s time to get the machine of school, sports, and our fall routine up and running.

As I welcome a quiet house and a little more headspace, I’m also excited for all of us. Off you go, I say to my boys; learn, be curious, discover, grow. Meanwhile, I’ll be diving back into my writing, learning and growing too, albeit with lots of coffee and my laptop. I can’t wait.

Project-wise, I have a short story on deck (as soon as I finish revisions I’ll start submission), more essay ideas than I can keep up with, and a larger fictional project simmering. More on that in future posts. Let’s see what I can manage once we get past the first day of school. 

Did I say I’m ready?

PS: I didn’t make it to an Eras show, but it felt like the Summer of Taylor Swift. You don’t have to go to one of her concerts, or even love her music, to appreciate the magic she creates for her fans. Personally, I have delighted in hearing friends and family rave about seeing Taylor live; their enchantment makes me smile. Anyway, it’s the end of summer, and this one (if you don’t already know) is called “august.” Enjoy!