I can’t believe it’s the end of August! No way, no how! I don’t care how hot or muggy it’s been, I do not want summer to end. I do not want to see a mum or apple cider or apples in general, unless they’re in a pie at someone’s cookout. I, for one, have not forgotten what a bear last winter was, and I want to hang on to the sunshine, the smell of Coppertone, fresh-cut grass and the feel of a warm breeze on my skin as long as I possibly can.
It seemed like it went by in a blink of an eye, didn’t it? That’s what happens when you’re busy. This summer, my Charlie got in touch with his inner poet. I don’t know where the heck it come from, but frankly, I’m impressed! It all started when he saw that blue tarp up in a tree. Something clicked, and a whole new world opened up to him. He went on the write “Gutta’s,” “Don’t Wave to Gus,” “Zero Turn Mower” and the soon-to-be-classic, “Stinkfoot.” And the hits just keep on comin’!
I was busy all winter and spring writin’ my new book. Still playing with the title, but it’s my guide to love and marriage. It’ll come out next June. It was good to get the manuscript off to Islandport Press at the end of May. Great, I thought, I’ll have time to catch up on all the things I’ve let slide. Best laid plans! Seems like I’ve been wicked busy and don’t have much to show for it, ‘cept for maybe a few good yard sales finds. An extra pound or two or five, dependin’.
In terms of eatin’ healthy and gettin’ plenty of exercise, I always think summer’s gonna be a breeze. I mean, all those fresh fruits and veggies, berry pickin’, early morning walks and an amble after dinner. But somehow my good intentions don’t counteract the effects of all my summer socializin’. And by socializin,’ I mean eatin’ opportunities: cookouts, BBQ’s, picnics and a little thing known as ice cream.
The Dairy Queen rules over our neck of the woods, and I have become a loyal subject, utterly unable to resist her charms. I started off the summer ordering a kiddie-size vanilla soft serve. A nice, diet conscious choice, huh? What the Queen neglects to tell you is, that little taste of heaven is an entry drug. I quickly moved on from that to a small, then a hot fudge sundae, and before I knew it, I was practically mainlining Peanut Buster Parfaits. Good thing they’re only open during the summer! It gives me some time to detox before I relapse ‘round about next June. Some folks think there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I’m hopin’ there’s a vat of ice cream with hot fudge sauce and some peanuts. Sweet and salty, mmm. It may end up killin’ me, but what a way to go!
The Women Who Run With the Moose don’t have our girl night as often durin’ the summer. The rest of the year we get together once a week, but what with vacations and such, we’re lucky if we see each other, just the girls, once or twice a month. Betty is always off golfin’ somewhere, Celeste is takin’ care of her grandkids and Dottie’s up to camp. Rita’s out straight workin’ with her husband down to Smitty’s Hardware and the A&P has me hoppin’, too. Tourists, lot’s of tourists. God bless ‘em, but you know what? Bein’ nice is exhaustin’. Shirley’s been tied up takin’ care of her mom, Minnie, who lives with her. Poor gal, she’s got dementia. It’s at the point now where Shirley can’t leave her alone. Weekdays, she brings Minnie to daycare, down to the Senior Center. Weekends are a little more challenging. Us girls have been takin’ turns visiting, tryin’ to help Shirley out, cheer her up. (And yes, baked good are usually involved!)
Though the girls and me tend to run into each other at the aforementioned cookouts, BBQ’s and picnics, it’s not the same. We did manage a spa day, the end of May. That was fun. Oh, and we have a shoppin’ trip planned for September. Look out Portland! Man, you gotta pencil this stuff in or it never happens.
Speakin’ of which, I have a busy fall comin’ up, with new bookings comin’ in all the time. Check out my upcoming dates below, and mark your calendars for when I’ll be in your neck of the woods. Or you can just visit my website: idaswebsite.com. Drop by and say hi!
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: What Happened to Summer?
Coming up this fall:
September 14: Ida’s Book Club, featuring authors Patricia Lynch and Jacquelyn Benson, 7:00pm, WEST, Portsmouth, NH
October 3: Finding Your Inner Moose Book Reading, 1:00pm, Soldiers Memorial Library, Hiram, ME
October 10 & 11: The View From He’ah Variety Show, ACT ONE’s Beyond Festival, Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm, WEST, Portsmouth, NH
October 19: The Moose in Me, The Moose in You, 7:00, to benefit the Friends of the Bridgeton Public Library, Magic Lantern, Bridgeton, ME
October 22: Finding Your Inner Moose Book Reading, 6:00pm, sponsored by Simpson Memorial Library, Golden Harvest Grange, Carmel, ME
November 7, 14 & 21: I Married an Alien, 7:30pm, Camp Calumet Women’s Retreat Weekend, West Ossipee, NH