Late August Days

This used to be a quiet time in our lives. We had lost momentary contact with our friends due to different vacation schedules and the endlessness of summer days that typifies late August. College and K-12 didn't start until after Labor Day so we were left to our own devices as to how to best spend our time.

Given the chance now there isn't a reader among us who couldn't think of 10 or 15 things they would do with their time if offered another chance. Though back in those days we didn't have the Internet , Cable TV, or discretionary income, so we had to make our fun outdoors.

Of course, a backyard BBQ with our parents friends and families usually helped fill the void if we weren't on vacation as a family ourselves. During the BBQ we would play badminton, drink far too much soda, eat watermelon, and then hunt for fireflies. It was a routine we savored as it couldn't be duplicated at any other time of the year except late August.

I suppose we should all be so lucky as to be able to summon such quiet thoughts. Especially when it's easy enough to give a concerted look at the world around us now and be so easily reminded that our present lives are so very unlike the late August days we knew growing up.