Summer Holidays

Carefree Memories

I have a longing that grows every June. I want to go back to my boyhood years when school ended and summer holidays began. I have happy memories of lakes and swimming. I remember warm summer days with no plans, few duties and no worries.

I don’t remember what I did over July and August, but I felt carefree and full of dreams. The potential for adventure was invaluable. Summer was a time where work and study gave way to play and fun.

Work or Play?

Over the years I feel like I lost something in my pursuit of achievement. I lost the ability to play.

I want to feel that again. I want to loosen up from my disciplined routines and have fun. I want to change my attitude as much as I change what I do. For example, I love playing hockey- but I play seriously and purposefully. I continually think about tactics and technique. I practice and study. I replay the game in my mind to figure out how to play better.

I also do art in a similar goal oriented manner. I want to continually improve.

I have a long list of things I want to learn. I push myself is to progress the list every week. On the list is my ‘aging artist’ blog . I want to add more features, but I need to learn so much more about WordPress.

My list is infinitely long and could last decades. Each accomplishment adds a new item to the learning list. It’s WORK that never stops.

Ostrich Emulation

Whether it’s summer or any other season, the world carries on with crises and conflict: Russia, inflation, migration, climate change, mass shootings… How can I feel carefree?

Am I choosing to put my head in the sand and be oblivious to the pain and suffering? Maybe.

Is there no place or time anymore to laugh or relax? Does it do any good to bear the burdens of the world in my mind while being helpless to affect change? If I were refreshed, I may have energy help when I return.

Re-create Recreation

June is almost over and July is only a week away. Summer is calling. I have to ask myself how many summers do I have to enjoy? It’s definitely a small finite number. What kind of summer do I want?

I am choosing to have a summer holiday! It’s a holiday away from my to-do list. It’s a break from trying to continuously improve myself. It’s a break from lamenting the news.

I will play at art and sport rather than work at art and sport. I will have more fun. With a ‘summer’ attitude I will play hockey for the joy of playing. I am going to swim and paddleboard, ride my bike and have picnics in nature.

I want to lighten up. I am going to take an artist retreat at the Port Bickerton Lighthouse on the Eastern Shore. I will do messy experiments with new materials. I will paint mud pies and sand castles on the beach.