Summer is coming! I’ve finished teaching my college classes for the semester and the K-12 schools will wrap up their year in a few more days. Even as an adult summer seems magical.
Life seems to slow down and relax a little as the temperatures rise and we all head outside.
I am extra excited for a chance to relax this summer. I spent a big chunk of last summer learning effective strategies for teaching online and then using those strategies as I planned my classes. I don’t need to learn a new way to teach my classes in the coming months, so I will have a much appreciated break from thinking about school.
As my life slows down for the next couple of months, I am looking forward to working on various projects—some big and some small. Maybe I’ll finally get caught up on scrapbooking.
Our biggest project for the summer is rebuilding the deck behind our house. We took it down a couple of summers ago to fix some drainage issues around our house and this year it’s at the top of our priority and budget list. Just anticipating eating meals, reading, or relaxing on the deck again makes me happy.
One of my favorite things about summer is the reading program at the Bartholomew County Public Library. This year’s theme is "Tails and Tales." Sign-ups start May 24, and the program runs from June 1 to July 24. You can earn points by reading or completing activities, which you can then redeem for prizes. Maybe one of the activities that the library staff has planned around this year’s theme will bring some added magic to my summer.
Another local activity I look forward to at this time of year is the Columbus Philharmonic’s free SALUTE! concert that honors military veterans, held this year on Friday, May 28. Sitting outside listening to live music gives me a chance to slow down while enjoying the music and the outdoors.
Live music can also be found at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, which is open for the year. You can stop by 1 st street next to city hall on Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm through mid-September to enjoy the music, the fresh produce, the food, and a variety of other items all produced by those in our community.
Summer is a great time to explore and experience the magic of our beautiful world. We have multiple parks throughout the city and county. I want to visit the pollinator park at Blackwell Park near Parkside Elementary to see the flowers and some butterflies. Brown County State Park is also close by with many trails for hiking, walking, or biking. Fireflies are another magical part of summer. Soon we should be able to see their glowing lights in the grass and trees.
I’m sure there are many more ways to relax and slow down at this time of year. Find something you enjoy and capture the magic of summer.
Susan Cox is one of The Republic’s community columnists, and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. She is a mother and an adjunct instructor of English at Ivy Tech Community College Columbus and Indiana University Purdue University Columbus. She can be reached at editorial@therepublic.com.
