IF YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA
I’LL SAIL THE WORLD TO FIND YOU
IF YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF LOST IN THE DARK AND YOU CAN’T SEE
I’LL BE THE LIGHT TO GUIDE YOU
FIND OUT WHAT WE’RE MADE OF WHEN WE ARE CALLED TO HELP OUR FRIENDS IN NEED…
What did you do over summer vacation?
The question was always asked and answered on the first day back to school. A bittersweet query, really, one that I kind of dreaded because it meant that summer was truly over, relegated to the dim corridor of Memory, perhaps resigned to the long trudge of Forgotten. Neither was particularly appealing for a kid suddenly strapped to the confines of school again. Even as an adult, I feel the dreaded sting of back-to-school specials and the parade of school supplies on sale at this time of the year. Still, the question begs to be answered: what did you do over summer vacation? Here, in a nutshell (or blog post or three), is how mine unfolded.
It began in fitting form on Cape Cod, with a graduation party at JoAnn’s. Tressie was celebrating her successful completion of her degree, and family and friends gathered at the Mermaid on Shore Road cottage. Seeing the future of our planet in such capable hands gave me momentary hope in a world otherwise-gone-mad. I returned home just in time to make it to my niece Emi’s dance recital. We arrived precisely on time for the start, then sat through the 57 songs that came before her performance. At least I got out of the Cape early enough to avoid all summer traffic. (Hint: there’s none at 5:30 AM.)
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME LIKE ONE TWO THREE, I’LL BE THERE
AND I KNOW WHEN I NEED IT I CAN COUNT ON YOU LIKE FOUR THREE TWO
YOU’LL BE THERE, ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, OH YEAH
More wee ones were in our summer plans, as Andy and I headed to Missy and Joe’s new house; their sons Julian and Cameron were waiting for us as we arrived on a hot sunny day. We hadn’t seen them for a few years – the longest stretch of not seeing such close friends – but they are finally settling into a fabulous new home and hosted us for a lovely visit in late June. The heat was high, the pool was open, and an idyllic weekend was at hand. Doug and Julio joined us for dinner, the Paloma coolers were flowing, and everything came together perfectly the way it does only a few times a year. Cameron and Julian were the highlight of our visit – two young boys growing up and giving me more hope for the future. Julian gave us the best parting gift there is: a song. I’ve selected our Fall Return theme song based on his version of ‘Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars.
IF YOU’RE TOSSING AND YOU’RE TURNING AND YOU JUST CAN’T FALL ASLEEP
I’LL SING A SONG BESIDE YOU
AND IF YOU EVER FORGET HOW MUCH YOU REALLY MEAN TO ME
EVERYDAY I WILL REMIND YOU
FIND OUT WHAT WE’RE MADE OF WHEN WE ARE CALLED TO HELP OUR FRIENDS IN NEED
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME LIKE ONE TWO THREE, I’LL BE THERE
AND I KNOW WHEN I NEED IT I CAN COUNT ON YOU LIKE FOUR THREE TWO
YOU’LL BE THERE, ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, OH YEAH
In July, near our 18thanniversary, Andy and I made a weekend trip to Boston, where we saw the hot mess that was/is ‘Moulin Rouge’. It was a blast, though there was still much tinkering going on when we saw it. We sat close to the director, who was taking copious notes, so maybe they’ve made it hotter and less messy than when we saw it. It’s a spectacle, to be sure, and worth a look-see, but only if you’ve reconciled yourself to flash and fluff. That’s the mainstay of my life, so I may have to see it again.
JoAnn visited us for a weekend, and she brought another wonderful denizen of the Cape with her. Cheryl taught us how to make lumpia, and we had such a fun time we are already eyeing her next trip up for a lesson on the secrets of mahjong. The circle of friendship widens; the ripples of love cross and rebound. We are always better for it.
YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE MY SHOULDER WHEN YOU CRY
I’LL NEVER LET GO, NEVER SAY GOODBYE
YOU KNOW YOU CAN COUNT ON ME LIKE ONE TWO THREE, I’LL BE THERE
AND I KNOW WHEN I NEED IT I CAN COUNT ON YOU LIKE FOUR THREE TWO
YOU’LL BE THERE, ‘CAUSE THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, OH YEAH
Near the end of July, a series of storms ripped through the area – one of which had hail the size of quarters falling dangerously from the sky. One ripped a small hole in our backyard canopy -“ countless others ruined the up-until-then-pristine foliage of the garden plants. It tattered everything for the rest of the season. Plants are surprisingly resilient, but they don’t mend torn or hole-filled leaves. I took a video of the ice splashing into the pool, battering our unicorn float in dramatic fashion. Summer came with its own thrills and dangers, and it wasn’t nearly done yet…
{To be continued}
