July Summer Days (2022)

21) Life gets busy no matter the time of year <57th OP>

I would have thought being a teacher with summers off, my pace of writing would pick up.  But, rather it is as if my production has decreased.  Amazingly, it’s July 11th, only my 2nd Monday off of the summer, yet I’m also entering my 3rd week off. The time really does fly by. 

This is especially true when you start your summer break by,

1- Quarantining with covid

2- Going away with your almost 80 year old dad to Pennsylvania

I fulfilled my quarantine before I caught up with my dad in PA. It certainly was a bit of a momentum killer, but I didn’t get it that bad and still am alive to share it. So, why complain?

What did I do in quarantine? I only decided to watch the greatest sports documentary ever, for the 4th time!

 This time was quite interesting. I picked up on things I hadn’t noticed before. I also paid extra close attention to Scottie Pippen in the documentary. I saw how gracious he was while filming it. But, then for anyone paying attention, Pippen did quite the heel turn in follow-up interviews after the documentary was released. I think I might need to check out his book to get the whole story, his version of it at least.

 Also, this is the year of 40th birthdays!! I just turned 41 (a somewhat long post on that is being drafted) but many of my friends from college just turned 40. 

Yesterday, I was celebrating an old college roommate, and he threw a big bash in his parents' big backyard!  His little brother (who I have known since he was 12 and is now 33, and is not exactly little anymore) said that kindest words to me - he said something along the lines of,

“You know it was really cool seeing you guys all the time always hanging out with my brother, and still seeing you all these years later. You guys had a huge impact on my childhood, growing up witnessing you all stopping by”. 

He also said, “Cherish these moments as they don’t come by as frequently anymore”. 

I was like, “Dude, are you sure you aren’t like 60, now?” Such pearls of wisdom!

Today, I am definitely feeling the after-effects of such a good time. My buddy says he should have thrown the party on a Saturday, as people had to leave early. *I think more people should be teachers so every weeknight during summer can feel like a weekend*! 

<*This is said in jest. Don’t be a teacher unless you like kids and have the patience of a saint. Although, the whole summer thing is a perk*>.  

With me now in the heart of summer, I have so many thoughts and so many things I feel like I need to do, it’s hard to slow life down sometimes. Even in this slower time of year.  

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Peace and Love!

-JPJ