Wow! Summer is here and with it is an opportunity to embrace my new status as Empty Nester. I had a trial run while Caden was in boarding this past school year, but now the time has truly arrived.
Claire at 22 and Cole at 21, are living, working and attending summer courses in Toronto. Chloé, recently turned 19, has returned from Scotland and her social life will keep her summer full, I expect she’ll be out and about more than home. Caden at 18, has a cross-country road trip planned with friends as well as a number of other fun activities that will keep him away from home. My job? Be supportive, say yes and have clean clothes waiting for when they drop in.
It’s just me and the dogs! A new normal.
How ever will I fill up my days?
I have a list (surprise!) of things I’d like to do over the summer, with camera in hand, of course:
Celebrate Caden | as he graduates high school, attends prom and enjoys his last summer of freedom
Develop a “signature” summer drink | just tossing between the base: tequila? prosecco? pimms?
Visit a local winery | not sure where to start but I’d like to check out one or two of the “local” vineyards
Hit up a festival | art festival, music festival, something lively and noisy and full of faces and stories
Enjoy my backyard | once it’s completed and all the furniture arrives it’ll be spectacular
Go to the aquarium in Toronto | the jellyfish are my favourite, absolutely mesmerizing
Visit the farmers market | there are a couple held in town, hope to find some foodie motivation
Go on a hike | which may translate to a walk through the school campus, still good enough
Weekend trips | the first is planned for Austin, TX! I’m excited to go.
Take a class | already signed up to learn editing essentials at writers camp at UofT Mississauga
Binge watch a series on Netflix | no idea what I’ll watch but it’ll be good to see something new
Go to the butterfly conservatory in Niagara | this outing that has been on my list for years
Try a new restaurant | a few new places have popped up lately and I’m look forward to discover new favourites
Spend whole days reading | Thursdays are my Think Day when I unplug – time to add a read day, too
See a concert | tickets to The Eagles already secured, I wonder who else is coming to town?
Stroll through a garden | maybe Allan Gardens – especially the Palm House, I’m open to suggestions
Host a neighbourhood party | to thank all of those who have been so patient with the backyard renovation
Take myself to the movies | a big bag of popcorn and some wine at the the VIP cinema
Finish up the big decorating project | which means furnishing every room – its been a long wait
Boozy book brunch | will conclude summer with a gathering of friends, and books, and booze
This list will be added as a complement to my regular practice of:
Personal training twice a week with Jackie (and my trying to remember to stretch in between sessions)
Walking the dogs, though soon reduced, at least twice each day – more for me than them
Daily meditation, journaling and oracle card pull
Regular blogging (which will include a redesign of this website to reflect my new photography focus)
Chiropractor appointments 4x/week and massage 1x/week
Daily writing of my novel-in-progress, as well as weekly writing classes
Household chores and projects (which has a list of its own)
Regular lunch and dinner dates with girlfriends
The back yard has been dug up since April 9th. It’s been a long haul but the transformation is coming along, as in, I can see the end and it is beautiful. I’m hoping the project will be finished by mid-July so I’ll have a couple of months to enjoy it. I’m also looking forward to opening the door to the back yard to let the beasties out rather than having to leash them up and walk six times every day!
What are you up to this summer? Are there new adventures or do you settle into a nice summer routine?
