The Question

As a teacher I get asked one question over and over as summer approaches: So what are you going to do this summer?  Usually I have a long list of things I'm doing.  Last summer it was planning my August wedding.  The summer before was numerous bike trips.  The summer before that it was changing schools and putting a new roof on my house-yes me, I did it. 

So when people have asked what I'm doing this summer I've said, "Nothing." A look of alarm spreads across their face.  They seem alarmed like that is not OK.  I originally felt a little guilt.  I thought maybe I should have some big summer experience to mark this summer.  Then I thought back over the past summers.  I hated going back to school exhausted because summer flew by with a packed schedule.  But this summer I vowed was going to be different.  It was going to be quiet.  This summer would have been my 10th BAK (Biking Across Kansas). Nope, not going.  A big garden? Nope, that's Dustan's domain.  A home improvement project?  I did that while Dustan was in Europe this spring, no thanks.  Mike and I at the Home Depot paint counter are on a first name basis.  I hope he forgets me and my follies of bathroom redecorating.

I've decided that I'm not doing anything this summer is a grand plan.  I like the quiet.  I like not having to go out on a bike ride unless I really want to because I'm not training for anything.  I like the simple evenings on the back patio eating supper with Dustan.  I like watching our summer fish.  I like the peaceful slumber of the dogs on the floor during the middle of the day. I like pinning things onto Pinterest.  I'm over 1400 pins.  I'm a little bit of a Pinslut.  (It's my own term.)  Then it came to me.  My only real desire this summer is to do some of the things I've found on Pinterest that I really don't have time to do during the school year.  I should document my summer of crafting, baking, cooking, school supplying through a blog.  Then it won't look like I'm doing nothing this summer. 

So here I am writing my first post.  I've already done several things off of Pinterest.  I'll need to go back and feature them.  But moving forward, I'm Not Doing Anything This Summer.  Sorta.