"Running Commentary"

Summertime Blues

    The end is near.
    Summer, not the world. Although, an argument could be made that the end of the world isn’t so far away either, what with the pandemic, wildfires, floods, wars and worldwide upheaval. Honestly, it’s getting more and more difficult to watch the evening news – everything is so bleeping depressing.
    Notwithstanding the state of the world, nostalgic sadness defines this time of year. Days are shorter, nights getting darker more quickly.  Autumn rudely pushes summer warmth aside with cooling breezes. Officially, summer doesn’t end until September 22nd,  the autumnal equinox, but you can feel it. Change is in the air.
    Kids have returned to school, and that means that the pool is closed. And here’s a big lament on my part – I practically live across the street from the pool and I never made it over there once. Always intended to … never made it. The city offers free swimming for seniors – never happened. Partly that’s because I have two children to care for; but mostly, it’s because I never got off my fat ass and walked up and over the hill through the city park.
    Ah, summer. Summer is a skittish bird, preparing to take flight. Despite the unrelenting heat of the past few weeks, we hate to see it go, knowing fully well what’s down the pike weather-wise. Soon enough, we’ll forget these obsessively hot days and lament the unrelenting cold.
    Complaining about weather is what we all do.
    Normally an early riser, I notice seasonal changes. This morning I popped out of bed at 5:00 a.m., and it was still dark. Little more than one month ago, it was the Sun that jumped out of bed that early. Now, fat and lazy, Mr. Sun sleeps in.
    For decades, I’ve had an almost obsessive fascination with summer and winter solstices. And, to a lesser extent the spring and autumn equinoxes. All four herald a new season.
    December 21st is probably my favorite day of the year, and not because of the holidays. It’s the winter solstice, and every day afterward gets progressively lighter and warmer. That was always a big tease with my mother. We’d be having a blizzard at the end of December, and I’d tell her not to worry – it was getting lighter and warmer.
    No matter how miserable you are confronting the usual winter doldrums – snow, slippery ice, muddy shoes and freezing cold – you can take heart. You don’t notice it at first, but when the solstice passes, change is afoot. Longer, warmer days are ahead.
    The reverse is also true, and it’s downright depressing. Before summer officially arrives June 21st, it’s practically over!  Hot weather is surely ahead, but after the solstice, days become imperceptibly shorter. It’s as if summer plans its getaway before it begins.
    I can’t complain. Once upon a Colorado moon, the summer solstice was cause for celebration – I was married on June 21, 2013. Now, that specific date has become something of a day of infamy. Funny, huh? I used to joke that every day after our wedding got progressively darker. Turns out, the joke was on me!
    Meanwhile, I inhaled my leaded caffeine this morning, and as soon as it settled, I felt energized. I put on my Nikes and went for a two mile walk and jog.  The air was heavy – rain is forecast, but nevertheless, that time of morning is enchanting. Before I finished, the raindrops began again.
    When was the last time you got up before sunrise and went outdoors to look at the moon? You don’t have to be a morning person to appreciate Mother Earth’s magical sunrise exhibition.
    No problem if your entertainment budget is limited – outdoor seating is free.
    If you’re looking for sensual adventures, make your morning interactive – take off your shoes and feel your toes sink into the spongy, dewy grass … squish, squish, squish. Be more childlike – run beneath the c-c-c-cool shower of a summer rain.  
    That’s what I did recently. How does a warm summer shower feel when you go for a walk? Have you ever experienced a “brain freeze” from eating ice cream too fast? ? Just like that – somewhat painful, but quite exhilarating. I dare say, fun!
    As we age, may we continue to grasp remnants of our uninhibited childhoods.
    Spice up your enjoyment of what remains of your summer – be more childlike. Squeeze everything you can out of the skittish bird before it takes flight. Autumn approaches. Go for a walk beneath a silvery moon. Stand outside during a summer shower.
    Tomorrow, Concordia celebrates its sesquicentennial birthday, with events going on throughout town – enjoy the party. Get off your duffs and have some fun outdoors. The Olympics are over – time to move on and enjoy what remains of our warm weather.
    Don’t worry. I haven’t lost my grasp of childhood adventures. Very likely, someone will look out a window before the Sun rises, and see a crazy, Nike-clad American running through the streets of Concordia. Celebrating summer.
As for tomorrow? I plan to do something extraordinary.
    Walk across the street to the city park.

Note: Mark your calendars! On September 25th Concordia will host a huge airshow at Blosser Municipal Airport, dedicating the new runway. Aerobatics, exhibits and food. Free admission. Fun for the entire family.