Goodbye, Summer!

Today traditionally marks the unofficial end of summer here in the U.S. No more lazy beach days, or hanging out in the hammock in the backyard—it’s back to work and back to school for most of us, Now, many of the Wenches are taking advantage of the long weekend to grab a last fling of fun with friends and relatives too, so we’re sending a short postcard to all our readers—best wishes and here's hoping you all have enjoyed a wonderful summer.

Now,  to celebrate the season before we pack up our beach towels, let’s have a last little bit of extra fun! Did you go somewhere great, or have a special get-together with family and friends or experience any other memorable moment? Please share your favorite highlight from the past few months!

Comments

[Janice]

Nothing astonishing at all, but something I never expected - I reconnected with a girl I knew in high school whom I haven't seen since graduation, since she went to Pepperdine while I went to UCLA. We have had fun looking at ancient yearbooks and trying to remember people and sharing what little we knew of their stories after high school. I felt rather like one of the Doctor's companions experiencing time travel for the first time. It was bizarre to hear my friend say oh no, I know he or she has passed. How does that happen when inside I'm still 17?

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for sharing Janice! I had lunch last week with two college pals and we had great, great fun reminiscing.And yes, it was a little scary to count the years since those school day because I, too, still feel about 17! But that's because i still feel I have so much to learn!

[LouisaCornell]

The best part of my summer was RWA National Conference in Anaheim, California! I got to see most of the Wenches there and had a great time!

Hey, Joanna! Shall we go to the bar? :)

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Yes, Anaheim was fun, Lousia! And Joanna's RITA was a special highlight!

[Anne Gracie]

End of summer? Hey, here in Australia we're just heading towards it.
I have spring breaking out its perfumes all over my garden, with jasmine in bloom, violets, freesias, grape hyacinths and jonquils, as well as fruit trees in blossom, not to mention the Australian native plants.

So I'll give you the best part of Winter — and for me it's all the rain we had. After 13 years of drought, it's a pleasure to see the country so green.

The other thing is, like Janice, I reconnected with some friends from my student days - not for a nice reason - it was a wake for a good friend we'd all lost contact with, who'd died overseas. But it was wonderful meeting up after all these years and realising we still had reservoirs of fondness for each other and a liking for who we all are now as well.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Yes, Anne, I know we're the "odd" one up here. Lucky you±you have summer to look forward too. So glad the rains are adding to that delight. How nice to see things blooming.

Connecting with old friends is wonderful, even if it comes about for a sad reason. Even more wonderful is discovering you still share the bonds that brought you together in the first place. That's special!

[Sherrie Holmes]

Not much happening in my neck of the woods. I stayed close to home due to ongoing issues with my back, leg, and feet. Nevertheless, I've had a glorious summer and my garden is keeping me and all my neighbors well stocked with fresh veggies. I live out in the boonies on a private, dead-end road shared by me and 4 other homes. Very rural, no kids, just us old fogies--4 singles and 1 couple. *g* We tried something new this year, and it's been fun: sharing a garden. I supplied the garden spot, my horse provided lots of compost, one neighbor did the tilling, another picks weeds and patrols for slugs, and all of us are sharing a bounty of organic, pesticide-free veggies! (And frantically trolling the Internet for recipes using squash! We have more squash than we can handle!)

Anne, 13 years of drought? Wow! I'm so glad you're getting a green spring now that the drought is over. Here in the Pacific Northwest we're in the last days of summer weather and we're headed for a record breaking first--most consecutive days without rain. Others may laugh, but 45 days without rain is so unusual for us that it's broken all previous records!