Make a Summer List

So school is out and summer is beginning. I have lots of plans to go visit with family and friends and finish some art that I have been putting off throughout this past year. I have some tree designs that I have been working on that need to be finished. I have also been working on a novel series for over a year, and I plan to start working on it again now that I will have some extra free time.

I bought an acoustic guitar last fall and would love to teach myself some songs. I had learned most of the basic notes and was able to play one or two Johnny Cash songs (love him), some Christmas songs, and (my favorite) the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Not surprisingly, though, I forgot how to do it all since I haven’t played since December. It is definitely NOT like riding a bike.

So, in short, my summer plans include playing the guitar, writing, family vacations, CAMPING, and reading (I can’t go a day without it). But, even though the school year has ended, I am still thinking like a teacher. I think most can understand “work mode.” One thing I like to do at the end of the year is make a “To-Do” list of all the teacher stuff I want to accomplish this summer. This is one of my favorite things to do at the end of the year because 1—it helps me to unwind and get ready for summer, 2—everything is still fresh in my head (I think I might be getting to the age where I forget things more easily even though I am forever 29 years old), 3—it is a time where I can really reflect on what I want to do to make the next year meaningful and memorable, and 4—it gets me excited for the coming year.