Staring into the Lake Michigan void.

Author’s note: I wrote this entry 8/2022, but the video is from 8/2023. I am nothing, if not consistent.

Each August, I look back at my summer month of vacation (this is a point of contention between private and public sector workers; the former contends that teachers get three months off, while teachers insist that teachers get 8 weeks at maximum—and if you work summer school at New Trier, as few as two weeks off before school resumes) with trepidation.

Have I wasted my summer? Did I accomplish my goal(s)? Were the (private and public workers agree) precious, golden days spent fruitfully or foolishly?

This summer, I can measure my days in building. I re-built a few birdhouses. I built new stairs for our back porch. I built and maintained a community garden at Madison School. I even built up the stores of canned tomatoes in our basement.

I also managed some relationship building with family. In Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, OH, three days of roller coasters and park food began to relive the constant ache of pandemic quarrentine.

Of course, it wasn’t enough. Even though my reading lists were (mostly) for pleasure. Even though I selfishly stared into the Lake Michigan void from South Beach shoreline in Evanston.

But it was a start.