Summer Days, Driftin' Away

“Summer days, driftin’ away…” Grease

            Well hello, and welcome to the end of summer. Can I have a show of hands? Who here can even believe that Labor Day is next weekend? Anybody…?

I can only speak for myself, but may echo the thoughts of others too… For those of us who live in four-season climates, we count each precious day from Memorial Day through Labor Day as some of our most treasured of the entire year. Yes, spring time can be lovely, and certainly fall can too – Autumn may even be my own personal favorite time of year. But for my family, maybe because we are boaters, the summer is basically spelled out in ‘weekends.’ How many weekends exist between the last Monday in May and the first Monday in September?

Memorial Day weekend turned out beautiful, and Todd and I were able to get in some great boating time with our club up on Lake Winnebago. But, as usual, it was mid-June before we got the boat put into its Lake Michigan slip, and we tried to get at least one weekend day on it every week. We were excited to learn that the US Navy’s “Blue Angels” would once again be flying as part of Milwaukee’s Air and Water Show; but as luck would have it, both of their performance days were cancelled due to intense fog over the lake. Disappointing for certain. It’s always a great thrill to be out on the water and have the Blue Angels fly right over the top of us!

This year half of June was consumed by Tony and Lesleigh’s participation in the “Make a Band Famous” competition in New York. Though they only competed for a day, the weeks leading up to it with all of the tweeting on Twitter, created the strangest “busy-ness” I’ve ever experienced. Yes, life went on, but whenever there was a remote lull, Twitter called my name.

 

It felt so strange this year – the first time ever – that Todd and I celebrated the Fourth of July without our kids in town. Each year Milwaukee puts on a huge firework display on the third, and each year (since 1999) we’ve had some combination of kids and friends out in the harbor on the boat with us. I’m not complaining per se – we could have done any number of things – but we chose to go it alone, and just tie up with some other boat club families. “Firsts” can be hard, but also necessary. Traditions are lovely, but new experiences can be good too. We went to the Waukesha parade, saw the movie “Jersey Boys” (which blew my MIND!) ;) and spent some more lake time… a rough, rough weekend, but somebody had to live it! haha

When I was a very little girl (1967) my parents bought land on a lake in central Wis. My dad built a small cottage and we spent lots of time together there. Since I was the youngest of four, my siblings started to branch off and marry, have children, and a new tradition was born… “Lake Helen Day.” Every year my parents hosted a party at the cottage and everyone came up, camped, played ball, swam - whatever activity the weather permitted. My oldest nephew and his wife now also bought property on the same lake, and re-instituted our old party tradition. This year many of us (including two surprise visitors named Tony & Lesleigh) got together in mid-July, played some whiffle ball, swam, boated, ate good food, sat around the campfire, and enjoyed a special weekend together. Great fun!

 

Back in 1977’s high school marching band days, two of my fellow band mates had dated, gone to prom, etc. For various reasons, they split up and lived different lives. In recent years, they reunited at a party and began seeing each other again. This past February, 37 years later, they traveled to Jamaica and said “I do!” It really can happen like that sometimes. Since Facebook had connected some of us again, Todd and I actually got invited to their wedding reception, which took place at their home. What fun it was to see old friends again. Every good wish, John and Beth, for many many more years together!

Just like last year, Todd took a day off of work and we headed south to Ohio for the Helping Hands Midwest gathering. Though it is a six-hour drive for us, we feel very at-home with this special group of people. All of us share an important common denominator – loving someone who has a limb difference. The picnic was a delight, and I was able to meet some new friends, while also chatting with some past ones too. It was a shame that shortly after eating lunch, and introducing ourselves, the skies let loose with a storm. As often happens with nature, about a half hour later the sun shone bright again – but most people were already gone. Thankfully, an indoor pizza party was planned for that evening, complete with a concert by Tony & Lesleigh. They had those darling kids dancing and singing along to just about everything. I think my favorite part was when they opened up ideas for lyrics to “Old MacDonald had a farm…” and one child said that “…on that farm he had a Transformer.” And wouldn’t you know that the two came up with a noise that the “Transformer” made down on that farm?! Priceless ;)  We had lots of laughs, lots of smiles – and maybe even a tear or two – but in a very good way.

Todd and I participated in our club’s annual corn roast. It’s an evening of food and friends – buy a wristband for access to unlimited brats, dogs, corn and cake. Beer and soda cost extra, but hey, it’s only once a year, right? Right! Why is it that when adults get together, so much silliness can ensue? But silliness it is! (Especially during a "Super Moon")The event even provided a band for dancing, so who was I to say ‘no,’ you know??? “Celebrate good times, come on…!”

And I, personally, have continued my writing – taking this summer time to go back to visit places from my past for words and ideas of inspiration. (and just a tiny clue – I’m finding what I’m seeking) You can read my blog post from one of my experiences here: http://katiekolbergmemmel.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-blast-from-campsite-past.html

So, here we are coming up to the end of summer. As much fun as it is/was – I do love fall. I consider it to be a time of great beauty and a time of blessed wind-down. Although this year it’s going to be plenty busy in and of itself. I have my writing classes, some speaking engagements, some family obligations, and before you know it, the holidays will be here. OH, and did I mention that Megan and Joe think they’ll be able to come home for Christmas this year? Weeee! Another fun thing to look forward to!

Life moves fast, I think that most of us will agree. So here’s to enjoying every minute, no matter what season we’re in… (our virtual ‘glasses’ clink in mid-air)

Until we meet (or blog) again ;)    Katie

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of “Five Fingers, Ten Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference.” For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com