This summer's not shaping up to be the laid-back, pool-lounging relaxing respite I planned. Counted on.
The weather's been uncooperative. May rains spilled over to June and trickled into July. We had one work week of 90-degree humid blankets that left me cranky and house-bound.
My son's foray into a summer sports camp didn't work out because I felt their militaristic attitude toward being physical (and the philosophy behind it) unsafe and unreasonable. My boy took their flier and blocked out the word "sports" and replaced it with blocky letters transforming the name to "Boot Camp" before slipping it under a refrigerator magnet as comedic fodder for house guests.
After the encouragement of one parent of Jake's friend, I signed him up for baseball one wintry day dreaming of emerald ball fields and steamy hot dogs after the game. He assured me as asst. coach, he would work with Jake and even be able to take him to practices and games if I got caught in bad traffic--which I often do.
Although his intentions noble, he got another job that has prevented him from getting there in time, let alone picking up my kid. In fact, I've taken his kid to more games/practices--a reversal of our plan--then he has been able to provide. And after this abysmal baseball run, I've given up the dream that my son will finally unleash his inner athlete and smack that ball high above as onlookers gape, mouths wide open.
Missed games due to the monsoon season in Chicagoland resulted in games stretched out in mid-July and practices bunched up on top of each other to make up lost time. This means I've been a wreck at work always trying to get out early to be able to make the 40-mile hike back home to cart him to the ball field--on time.
Because of the time commitment (coupled with the torrential rains) we've been unable to enjoy lazy days and evenings at the town pool--one of our most beloved summer rituals.
Last summer was idyllic. Through a beam of luck, I got him enrolled in a free program at a summer camp right by work. The structured program offered daily a bit of books, some hands-on projects, daily walks to the playground, an occasional field trip and a reward of a movie during the hottest of late afternoons. The counselors were kids in early college with education as a field of study; the classes racially diverse. He spoke of his new friends, Omar, D'Shawn and Diego. They even provided lunch!
I didn't need to worry about making it home before a minute after 6 o' clock struck. He was so close to the office, I sometimes popped in during lunch. The completion of the summer program closed with a wonderful cheesy version of"Johnny Appleseed" play that all the children participated in.
Nearly every night, we'd head over to the town pool and spend the remaining two hours of it's availability splashing and lounging as the natural light diminished.
It was an unfettered summer. It was a summer I will lovingly cherish. I need more of those.
©L'uragana
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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6 comments:
it has been an unusual summer her so far this year too.. all fog,, little sun and wind!!! lots and lots of cold wind in from the pacific.. at this point i am praying for a little global warming.. it is only supposed to be 61 today and we are totally fogged in!!!
This has not been an uplifting summer in Chicago weather-wise. I kept telling people at work who were new to the city over the winter that the springs and summers make up for the misery of the winters. Needless to say, I'm eating my words right about now...
Austin's been just the opposite. Almost a full month of 100+ degree weather and only a couple days of rain. Most of the afternoons have been really hot.
I've been sitting by the pool all day sipping mojito's and eating chips and salsa. Occasionally I think "Wow, It's raining in Chicago again." Then I go back to watching the Swiss Bikini Girls Vollyball team practicing.
Ok, maybe not that last paragraph. But it sure is hot.
And we are having a very bleak, wet, cold winter which is unusual for Sydney. Our winters are normally quite temperate. Maybe it's the end of weather patterns as we know them.
I like how Jake wrote 'boot camp. Exactly what Nick would've done!
That sounds better. I don't get the insanely intense attitude some people take towrd children's sports. It's a game for God's sake.
My summer has been pretty miserable too this year. Its the first year I can remember wherein I do NOT have a tan. Its been nothing but RAIN and thunderstorms.
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