I’m writing this as I sit in my minivan at school pick up in a sweater with rain coming down. I’ve got my Halloween cross stitch and my broody Clever, Cursed, & Storied playlist queued up. I’m ready for fall, but before I dive headfirst into sweater weather, I figure it’s time to do an end of summer post.
The end of summer is a vibe. Nostalgia… Some sadness… Some dread for back to school, which can be a really tough time of year for the Trentlings. Even with school underway, summer is still reverberating. I’m sure we’re headed for more 90 degree days before we slide to the other side of the autumnal equinox. So to celebrate this unique time of year, I have a list of all the end of summer joys we’ve been indulging in as of late.
We made it out to Gleenwood Hot Springs the weekend before school started. I quoted Casablanca a lot that day (“The waters? What waters?”), but while I was enjoying my library book and an ice cream cone I heard some Denverites talking about how they come to Gleenwood Hot Springs at least once every summer. It’s a tradition, and one I might adopt.
Road tripping out to the hot springs meant we had time to listen to quite a few podcasts. Podcasts and summer just seem to go well together, even when you aren’t road tripping. Our favorites this year have been The Good Whale, Dolly Parton’s America, and Radiolab’s Swimming with Shadows.
Mr. Trent and I enjoyed the Colorado Shakespeare Festival immensely this year. We saw both Richard II and The Tempest. So good. I easily could have gone three or four times. We had the _best_ time. Five stars, would recommend. I asked one of the producers if she would give me a hint as to what plays they’d be performing next year. “Shakespeare,” was all she said. Sold. Illegal Pete’s and Shakespeare on a summer night is amazing.
We were frequent flyers at our public library this summer. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell was my favorite read. It definitely made for a fun Q & A at the pre-show lecture before The Tempest.
Sunset walks with Mr. Trent around our local reservoir have been incredibly pretty this month. We always try to spot Jeff, the turtle, but we haven’t seen him. We did see his daughter, Jeffina, a few weeks ago though.
I am obsessed with Caterpillar Cross Stitch. Their digital download patterns are five stars. I have them on my phone, and I love stitching along as I wait at pick up for my kiddos. Oh, to have teens that can drive. Next summer!
I’ve been trying to find more songs that capture the sunflower, late summer season. “You’re on Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift I think comes closest. We’re happily anticipating TS 12 at our house, and we’re so happy for TNT’s engagement. Congratulations to them and all our best wishes for a long and wonderful HEA!
We hit the puzzles hard this summer and we’re switching gears to board games. Aspen gets very jealous when either are taking up our attention. “Look at me! Love me! Me! Me! Me!” she meows. And if we haven’t appropriately appreciated her, she’ll sit right in the middle of the action. Oh, having a kitty is wonderful. We all love Aspen so much.
Yakiniku at Gyu-Kaku has been an extremely delicious part of our August. We’ve been frequent flyers there this summer. Our favorite location is the one by Coors Field. If you had told me that one day I’d live within striking distance of one of these restaurants, I might have started weeping.
What end of summer joys have you been savoring?