Summer Waning

Even though July has not yet come to an end, I feel the summer slipping away. We have been so hot and dry that in terms of garden, hay, and outside activity, the summer has almost incinerated itself. The Neshoba County Fair, Mississippi's Giant House Party, begins tomorrow only a few miles from our house, but with the dust, heat, and humidity I can't say I am excited.

I feel almost sad - like we didn't do enough, have enough fun, or get the freezer packed enough. I suppose I have that gloomy feeling because the grasses, plants, and even trees are browning - mourning for the Summer that could have lasted just a bit longer and been just a bit more nurturing.

We will begin school as soon as the Fair closes. We bought school supplies today when I had to make an emergency trip to the nearest seller of toner cartridges. I, of course, ran out of black ink halfway through the payroll. I'm glad I didn't wait until the last minute (tomorrow) to print. I love buying office supplies. I think I have a problem. I was more excited than the children. I even perused the supply lists of area public and private schools. I wanted to make sure there wasn't some cool new thing we didn't have.

Even though I love supplies and looked at every option, we didn't really need a lot of stuff since, unlike the public and private schools, we don't have to purchase new things every year. We already own plenty of pencils, crayons, paper, and other typical beginning of the year supplies. I usually wait to buy crayons, pens, or pencils during the winter when we need a school pick-me-up. Our only purchases were plastic pocket filers and planners for each child. This year they had so many selections that the children had a difficult time choosing even though neither child strayed far from his normal color.

Now that the supplies have been purchased, I just need to get motivated and get the children motivated and focused on more organized learning. I, usually, feel more excitement. In fact, I have been known to get so excited about the new school year that I would want to start it as soon as I knew what we would be doing. My children have even accused me of cornering them with school stuff and trying to start school a week after we finished. This year, I'm not sure what is wrong, I can't get excited about The Fair or School. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe if it would rain a long slow rain for a week. Maybe.