One thing that seemed particularly special about living back east was the celebration that happened when the season changed—spring in particular—as the shift was so dramatic. But here the seasons can be more subtle, so I find myself wanting to work a bit harder to really savor them. I started making a list of things I’d like to do this summer—we can call it a could-do list rather than a must-do list, to keep it fun rather than stressful.
In an article on “bucket lists” (in truth, a slightly different concept), “Psychologist Linda Blair … says chasing experiences is worthwhile if you enjoy the whole process” but cautions to avoid “living in the future, ignoring what’s going on right now because you’re shooting for goals, which happen so quickly that they’re over, and then you have to chase another one.”
Still, time seems to pass so quickly that I find it can be helpful to plan some things and to find inspiration for savoring the season, especially with the kids out of school. How to strike the right balance?
Here are some favorite ideas I’ve come up with for us so far for our could-do list…
- Screen a movie outside and watch from the swimming pool
- Practice making giant bubbles in the park
- Fly a kite at the beach
- Play miniature golf
- Go Kayaking
- Build sandcastles
- Make lobster rolls
- Pick peaches
- Visit a county fair
- Get warm on the rocks after swimming in the river
- Play frisbee
- Watch the fog roll in to San Francisco
- Make fresh lemonade
- Master a new cocktail
- Go camping by a lake
- Find a new swimming hole
- Hike to the pacific coast
- Go to a baseball game
- Spend a night salsa dancing
- Return to the Yolo Bypass
- Build a campfire
- Host a dinner party
- Swim from a dock
- Bake a pie
- Go fishing
- Tube down the American River
- Rent a boat on Lake Tahoe
- Go to an outdoor concert series and listen from the lawn
- Visit an art museum, like SFMoMA
- Play tennis
- Go to a trivia night with friends
- Visit a National Park
- Roast s’mores in the backyard
- Look for crayfish in the creek
- Make ice cream
- Jump off the high dive
What about you? Do you like to think ahead about seasons like this? What are your goals, if so?
[Top image from I Am Natural Store, via my summer Pinterest board; others are mine]
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