Once upon a time, long, long ago, both Kids and parents started looking toward Labor Day and the beginning of the school year with the same enthusiasm they'd waited for summer vacation. Mothers were tired of hearing, "There's nothing to do." (My response was, "Do you want me to find something for you to do?" The answer was always, "No, no, it's okay, I'm going outside now.") There were shopping trips for a new outfit and shoes for the first day of school, and haircuts for the boys. That was in the days before year-round school. Instead of nine months in class and three whole months of freedom, the school population was divided into tracks. I don't remember the exact time elements, but there were so many months in school and so many weeks off, not the traditional three months. It was pure hell if I couldn't get all four of my Kids on the same track, and chaos reigned. It was difficult to coordinate with their dad to plan for a family vacation. One saving grace was that while out of class, a Kid could sign up for special activities, and there were bowling lessons, fishing trips, etc., offered. Also, if there was difficulty in a particular subject, the Kid could use that "off time" to go back for remedial work at school. In the long run, I'd say there were benefits to year-round, but there wasn't the excitement of returning to renew friendships after a summer away. I don't know what changed, but most of the kids up here are already back in school and the buses rule the roads, and we're not close to Labor Day, but it's that time of year.
This is the goats' favorite season. Fleur de Lys Winery has started crushing grapes, and the goats rush to line up at the fence when Robert (Robair) calls, "Girls, girls, girls!" Robert forks big piles of sugar-sweet stems over to them which they devour as if they'd never had a treat in their life. (Like me and See's candy.) They get excited when they hear the auger run. Robert gets a kick out of proclaiming, "I am their new best friend!" every year.
Fallen leaves are beginning to drift on the deck, and acorns roll underfoot on the driveway. With minimally cooler days, egg production is up again. Just when it seems summer will never end, the signs are there. It's that time of year again.
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Wow, I'm amazed that some parts of the country are already seeing signs of fall. As you know, beach days in Southern California usually go thru September and sometimes into October before we get those signs. And yes, what in the HECK is with school starting so gol darn early. I think some of them do that because they have added a week off at Thanksgiving and another week off at Presidents' Week. But then some who start in August get out in May or very early June. Ah - the good old days when Labor Day meant something. (And I agree about See's Candy...for SURE...make mine dark chocolate please!)
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