Tuesday, June 29, 2010

School's Out. Compo's Open.


Last Sunday's article for Westport Patch
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The season of sweat and mosquitoes appears to be upon us.
Rumor has it the longest day of the year just came and went and a new season has officially begun. If the solstice hadn't clued me in, I suppose there have been a few other seasonal reminders. 
Here's what makes me think it just might be summer:
  • Two words: reality TV.
  • Somehow it seems perfectly reasonable to go to the ice cream shop about four times a week. (In fact, ice cream sounds pretty good right about now.)
  •  I'm spending more at Joey's by the Shore than at Trader Joe's.
  • Bedtime? What's bedtime? Why should the kids go to bed when everyone's outside riding bikes at 8:30 pm or jumping on the trampoline? Even weirder: I've stopped caring if they stay up till 9:30.
  • Shopping – once an entirely enjoyable activity -- has become a horrendous chore thanks to a certain seasonal garment: the swimsuit.
  • Waxing has taken on a new, sudden urgency.
  • It's all about the creams these days: sunblock, spray sunblock, solid sunblock, bug repellent. And when those don't work, it's aloe gel and calamine lotion.
  • Cocktails with mint sound really refreshing.
  • It's only been a few days since school let out, and already I've heard, "Mom, I'm bored!" more times than I can count.
  • Back-to-school merchandise will surely be on shelves in a week or so.
  • My kids are around everywhere, 24/7. I mean we love the little buggers and everything but don't these little people have anywhere else to be?
  • The inside of the car is already filled with a few pounds of sand.
  • The sprinklers and hoses are now used more for dousing neighborhood kids and siblings than for anything lawn-related.
  • There's really no reason to wear anything other than flip-flops anymore.

And the final reason I'm pretty sure it's summer is:
  • It's hotter than all hell outside. And humid, just to add to the fun.
So that proves it. Summer must be here.
Everyone in the pool! 

westport.patch.com

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