A summer game plan for grown ups

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." 

— John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury

Remember how long it took for summer to arrive when you were a child? I do. And I recall the feeling of waking up (after sleeping in) on that first day of summer break, knowing I had a whole season of freedom ahead of me. What luxury!

Now, summer seems to come swiftly, and as grown ups, we still have the everyday responsibilities to fulfill.

BUT, how about if we try to recapture some of the magic of childhood summers? What would that look like? What would it feel like? And I'm talking of childhood summers before the advent of the internet and streaming TV.

This year, I've made a game plan in order to get the most out of the season. I've already started it, and it's got me looking forward to the coming months despite this south Georgia heat!

Oh, how I love the shop in the summer!

First, I am giving myself full permission to SLOW down. Really. Of all seasons, this is the one to do it.

While there's never a dull moment in downtown Thomasville, the months of June, July, and August do have a different pace.

People coming into the shop are in less of a hurry, folks are happy to peruse and chat, and it's a lovely time to deliberately plan for the busier seasons while also purposefully rejuvenating.

I looked up the word "rejuvenate" in the thesaurus. Here are its synonyms: Revitalize, refresh, restore, renew, recharge, and revive.

BUT HOW? Here's my game plan:

1. ✨ ENJOY THE MORNINGS✨

After reading my daily devotion and journaling, I'm sticking to my walking routine. What's nice about this time of year is that it's light out by 6:30 am, yet it's still cool before the heat of the day. As we ruck, Chris and I see more people out and about during summer, and it's fun to watch Thomasville wake up. (Remember "Busytown" from the Richard Scarry picture books? Thomasville is just like that!)

2.✨ SAVOR SUMMER FOOD✨

I adore cooking with the season. We've already had tasty fresh baby asparagus, I've made cold gazpacho soup to keep on hand in the fridge, and I'm getting fresh, new ideas from a brand-new cookbook that I've been anticipating. It's called La Saison: Over 80 Seasonal French Recipes, from a year in my kitchen by Manon Lagrève.

If you too are a Great British Bake Off fan, you'll remember Manon from 2018 ~ the French girl who moved from her rural Brittany farm to London. 

A summer salad from the "été" section of the cookbook. Can't wait to try this and many more light French recipes! 

3.✨ READ FOR FUN✨

You know I'm a reader. And this summer, I am allowing myself more time to read for F-U-N (and am throwing all guilt about it out the window!). This is the season for beach reading and perhaps trying something new.

For instance, I'm finishing Project Hail Mary, a sci fi book I might not choose normally, but which came highly praised by Hannah and other friends. What a great read! (Plus, I admit I did cheat and watch the movie before finishing the book. Recommend!)

Next up is Shopkeeping: Stories, Advice, and Observations, a fun little tome that I have already previewed (you might recognize it from the past two emails' opening quotes)! This is not a business book; it is an essay collection that captures the art, task, and heart of shopkeeping. A love letter of sorts.

You don't have to own a shop to enjoy this book. This essay collection offers a peek into shopkeeping for anyone who loves independent stores.

4.✨ GO TO THE POOL✨

Yes, I said it. As a grown up, it is still essential to go to the pool! I have learned that to survive, nay to thrive, in the heat of the Red Hills region, being in and near a refreshing body of water is necessary. If not daily, then at least weekly. And if you don't have one in your back yard, then join one. We have rejoined our health club in Tallahassee, and I'm sneaking to the pool as much as I can.

So, what am I doing whilst there? Why, daydreaming, watching the wind blow the trees, listening to the swim instructor teach the children (and reminiscing about when Chris and I were college kids who taught swim lessons at the Y), and of course, reading those books we've been talking about! And perhaps mentally planning my summer meals.

5.✨UNPLUG✨

This almost goes without saying. How can you do any of the above if you are not "going analog" (as the trendy people say)?

Of course, there is so much more to do and explore whilst being "unplugged" this summer. I look forward to sharing those in the coming weeks!

xo,