End of Summer Check-In

Where Goals Meet Reality

I pledged that this summer would be CREATIVITY + PRODUCTIVITY + FUN.

So… how did I do? Let’s look at the original goals from my June list, with my August responses in bold.

Health:

• Exercise at least 4 hours per week (I already do this, so just continuing!) and try for a “streak” of exercising every day, building in lighter days for recovery. Done. Sometimes more than 4 hours!

• Get up and get outdoors as early as possible. Done. This was my favorite habit, and I did it even when it was super humid! (I only drew the line at actual rain.)

• Eat 7 daily fruits and vegetables; don’t eat dessert until after dinner (I am often tempted to eat sweets early in the day during the summer, but I know I can handle them better after dinner). Partly done. I did stick to the fruits and vegetables (it’s easy with summer produce, yum) but sometimes I had ice cream in the afternoon, and I do not regret it.

Writing/Creativity:

• This is the big one. Write first draft of tentatively-titled historical novel, “Jo and Mary,” aiming for 1,500 words per day (Saturdays off). DONE. I adjusted the schedule so that I wrote 2,000 words M-F, took a break on Saturdays, and on Sundays I brainstormed 5 “scene cards” so that I had a blueprint for the week. It was hard work but I finished it! I have an 70,000 word first draft I’m very proud of.

• Spend 15-20 minutes a day on drafting, editing or submitting flash pieces, working with the overall theme of “Band.” (I’m hoping to start a collection…) Kind of done. I kept the thread of essay-writing going, but I didn’t stick to the theme and I didn’t do it every day. I’m grateful to my writing group friends for finding me some creative inspiration when I felt stuck.

• Some not-fun but necessary website maintenance. Done.

• Some fun but possibly difficult podcast attempts. Nope, I didn’t do this. I want to have a podcast someday, but this isn’t the time.

• Write Good Character once per month, keeping my readers (you!) apprised of my progress. Ha, I’m doing this now!

• Read in all spare moments, several books at a time, like a continuous, joyous binge. (This is my one summer constant: every summer is reading season. For my current book list, see below.) Done. I can honestly say I have not missed an opportunity to read.

Home/Parenting:

• Paint the dining room and the inside of my closet. Not yet.

• Order new blinds for all the bedrooms and have them installed. Done.

• Print and hang photo collages in hallways. In Progress.

• Get a passport for my younger child. Done.

• Research and choose a phone for my older child (he’s going into seventh grade…) Done, although he doesn’t have it yet. Yikes!

• Help my older child with his summer reading list. Done.

• Continue to work on our financial plan with our advisor. Done, and have become a big fan of the Capital One Venture card for accruing travel miles!

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…. FUN!!!

The 2024 Summer Fun List includes…

• Pool time whenever possible. We have access to a lake/beach with treated water, and a very nice HOA pool— plus, my in-laws’ house. Yes!

• Berry picking— we all love picking blueberries, especially! No, but only because our farm share’s berry allotment has been so good and so much, it just doesn’t make sense to pick more.

• Day trips with my husband to towns around the Hudson Valley, like Beacon, Kingston and Millerton. We’re keeping a list of places to visit. We both love a road trip, and will have time while the kids are in long days of camp. Been to all three!

• Trips to NYC— flexible, for when it’s not too hot. My NYC list is heavy on museums and food tours. Not yet. Maybe the very end of August.

• Visits to Inisfree Gardens, to which we’re members. Done just this week.

• Watching the Olympics, especially gymnastics! Yes and LOVED it!

• Taking my son to the area Renaissance Faire. Did not do this, although it could still happen in the fall.

Me in my favorite place in the world— on the beach in Maine. Photo credit: Nick Sowul

Was this a great summer? YES.

Would I try setting similar goals again? In a heartbeat.

Am I ready for the school year to start? Ummm… tentatively yes?

Stuff You Might Like To Know

I first met Sara Letourneau back when we were both columnists for DIY MFA. We became friends and met up at Writers Digest conferences. Well, now she’s written a poetry collection and gotten it published, and I’m so proud of her! If you’re a poetry lover, please join me and order Sara’s book WILD GARDENS.

Stay tuned on Friday for my End of Summer Reading Round-Up! I’ll recommend all my best books of the summer.

Here’s to fall!