Wednesday, September 5, 2012

THIS IS THE SUMMER THAT WAS, 2012 VERSION

Summer, in this case, was July and August. Not the total of summer, but close enough, at least the way most Humans figure it. Now it is September. High temperatures are around 15°C (59F); lows around 5C (41F). 

So, what happened this summer?

Actually, a fair number of things.
• helped to host half a dozen (or more) sleepovers for our grandchildren at our place
• read lots to the grandchildren when they came, and when we went to their place
• visited my local library numerous times
• read quite a bit
• ate a lot
• took lots of pictures (you've seen the best)
• drank coffee semi-regularly for a while (though I cannot say I really enjoy it — so I went back to drinking tea)
• drove out to the country three times
• watched birds come and go
• celebrated J's birthday
• celebrated our 43 wedding anniversary
• spent time with good friends, but not often enough
• swam in our apartment's swimming pool a couple of times
• started walking daily (about a kilometre, sometimes more), most days
• worked on creating an independent news co-operative
• helped to get Occupy Saskatoon going again
• worked on research ethics approvals

• drank no wine or spirits, but tea (and coffee, as mentioned above)

I'm sure I've forgotten some events/activities, but that's what I can remember, for now.


Yeah, no major shortage of things to do. But still prone to depression. Building up a schedule of activities for the fall. Yes, you will hear about them. Of course. 

Blessings and Bear hugs!

41 comments:

The Bipolar Diva said...

you've been a busy man this summer!

Helen said...

Dear Rob,
I see no mention of art, theatre, music ... I know how much they lift my spirits! I also want to read more Bear Poetry in 2013!!!!

farawayeyes said...

Sounds like you've been busy. Summer may be over here, but in the
Caribbean the temps stay mid eighties year round. We could use some rain though.

A Lady's Life said...

Life is depressing these days and years lol but you know it's funny but I remember as a kid, when I had nightmares, I'd wake up and cross my self and I would be able to go back to sleep because I knew something good would watch over me.As an adult I forget to do this and keep listening to things all day which are quite upsetting. One always wonders where it is all going. Best to go outside and forget about it.

kj said...

i want more bear poetry too.

i love your comments: you have some wise visitors here.

depression is a hard blanket to throw off, but keeping busy doing what you most care about is the right road.

you are so active at the still point that matter most, bear. i hope you are rewarded for it with gratitude and peace of mind.

and a little wicked fun....

love
kj

cheshire wife said...

Oh my, you have been busy this Summer. What about a holiday?

Many congratulations on your 43rd wedding anniversary.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a productive summer...

Frances said...

Hey Bear, isn't summertime when the living is easy? What's in a song?

My memory tells me that you were helping out with a certain congregation...wasn't that this summer?

Let's not rush into autumn quite yet. Most of September is part of summertime. So the living might still be easy. Fish might be jumping and the river might be high.

xo

Diana said...

I wonder if Bears have any hobbies? Or if Bears may be interested in starting a hobby or craft?
I wish my Bear were home with me all the time, I'd put him to work around here,LOL!! Love Di ♥

ReformingGeek said...

That sounds like a great summer, Bear. You are nourished for the upcoming colder weather.

I hope keeping beary busy helps with the depression. My dad suffered. Evil Twin tries to bring me down but I just won't let her.

susan said...

I'm glad to hear you got to spend a good amount of time with your grandchildren. Reading is good and so is food so long as you don't get maple syrup on the pages. I like pictures but hardly ever take them when I'm drinking coffee because then it's too early. Sometimes I'll take a few with my afternoon tea. Ah yes, the countryside is good - nice to visit but the weeding and roofing is a chore. Better to emulate the birds and enjoy what comes. Happy birthday and anniversary - I hope you got cake twice. Good friends are worth seeing as often as possible - did they play in the pool with you?

Did you hear about the woman who went to the family doctor to complain that her grandmother was walking 5 miles a day? The doctor thought that was wonderful in a woman her age and wondered what was the problem. 'Well', said the woman, 'We haven't seen her in two weeks.'

Glad you enjoyed the summer and hope the autumn is better.

Rob-bear said...

Thank you, friends, for all your kind comments.

® Bipolar Diva: I have been a busy BEAR this summer. and I'm still Bear-ing up.

® Helen: Art, theatre, music. it's been so long that I hardly remember. Must do something about those.
As for poetry, if you're not careful, you may get get some of that before the end of the year. In fact, I left you some today. (You may have seen it already.)

® farawayeyes: I do hope you get some rain fairly soon. All the recent hurricanes have been north of you, if I remember properly.
Otherwise, you may be subjecting us to "dry" humour this winter.

® A Lady's Life: We do, indeed, live in interesting times. Way too interesting, in fact.
I do need to get outside more. I make some plans about that every day. Perhaps tomorrow.

® kj; Wicked fun. Is that allowed in church? I suppose, depending on how you define wicked.
As for the rest, yes; I need to keep moving. And hopefully in good directions.
I'm trying to do Bear poetry on my poetry blog, and in my comments to some people. I'm also trying to do "good things," though I find those to be a bit frightening. Maybe I'm losing my "touch."

middle child said...

You did much more than I did! My daughter's kids are older and my son's kids live in Nevada so.....
I did spend alot of time sweating this summer. So, yeah. That's something, right?

Rob-bear said...

® Cheshire Wife: Thanks for the anniversary greeting.
Holidays? What's that? I'm retired; I'm on vacation all the time. I don't travel particularly well, so I don't travel much. So I suppose I had a summer stay-cation. In our apartment, with air conditioning and a lovely view.

® Jacqueline: Great so see you.
I'm not so sure about "productive," but I did a lot of things. There is, in my mind, a bit of a difference. Maybe there should not be.

® Frances: Living is no harder or easier in summer than in winter. The life of the retired.
Work with our congregation ended at the end of "spring."
River is not low, but no fish jumping. Temperatures now range (in degrees Fahrenheit) between 41 and 59. Most people, I think, would not consider those to be "summer" temperatures.
Ducks are starting to think migration, and have been gathering on the river.

® Diana: Hobbies? Hmmmm. Interesting question. I've been thinking about that, and have a couple of possibilities in mind.
I picked up my five-stringed banjo and tried to play it. Very much out of practice. And I don't want to hurt the ears of other people in our apartment building.
As for being busy around the house, that's why we live in an apartment now.

Rob-bear said...

® ReformingGeek: I think I am getting ready for winter.
Oreo cat and Evil Twin do, I realize, give you lots of grief. I'm glad to know you have not succumbed! But I think they'll keep trying. They are trying already. Very trying.

® susan: Ah, greetings from the Far East (of Canada). Thank you for all the kind wishes. My birthday isn't until this month, but I'll take that as an advanced wish. (My beloved celebrated last month.) Not sure whether I'll get cake for my birthday. Didn't for our anniversary.
Maple syrup on the book pages? I've come close, but never quite did that. That would be very Canadian, eh? (BTW, did you hear the story about the thieves who made off with a huge amount of maple syrup in Quebec? Sticky $30 million situation.)
My friends declined pool party. And I play pool almost as badly as I play golf.
I hope the family of the walking woman find her, soon.
I trust things are more interesting this fall. Before I hibernate.

Rob-bear said...

® middle child: When you're hot, you're hot.
And it seems you've had a very busy summer, what with helping daughter and dog hunting.
I hope you have a great autumn.

Unknown said...

It sounds like you had a busy and fulfilling summer. I think that's great! :-)

Sadly, I only finished my WIP this summer. That's it. Just that. Nothing more. Guess I'm a slacker... but I'm a slacker who's querying! lol

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Action packed!

DJan said...

Not to mention that you've commented on quite a lot of blogs. Mine of course, but I often see you've visited a place before I got there! Nice list of your accomplished, Bear. You're entitled to settle back with your honey jar for a bit... :-)

Hilary said...

That's a pretty full summer. The walking is good.. it helps get you taking more photos.. also good.

Rob-bear said...

® Lexa Cain: Finishing a work in progress is a major accomplishment. Please do no diminish that success.

® J Cosmo Newbery: Action packed; just like your poetry.

® Djan: Sit back with my jar of honey? Why, yes; that is a grand idea.
I was about to add, "See you in the spring," but I'll be around for some time before I hibernate!

® Hilary: Go for a walk is what I should be doing right about now. So I think I will. Thanks for the suggestion. And thanks for all your great photos.

Gutsy Living said...

Rob-bear, you wanted to hear about the "old" Sonia? I have linked to you on my latest post. Hope you come over and read. I love the new layout of your blog. I know, I haven't been here in a while.

Anita said...

You've had a good summer! I should make a list so that I will know that mine had its joys, too. (I've focused too much on what I didn't get to do instead of what I did.)

I'm sorry about your susceptibility to depression.

alexia said...

Boy, I live in FL so it's still around 90 every day. 60ish would be lovely. And happy 43rd anniversary! That's amazing!

Chatty Crone said...

Sounds like you had a nice summer with lots of wonderful things. That being said - depression is tough. Happy 43rd anniversary to you both. Can't wait to see what you are going to do this year.

Rob-bear said...

® Sonia: Hey, great to see you here! You've had a lot happening in your life. Glad you took time to visit.
I'll come around your way and check your latest.

® Anita: Focusing on things accomplished is important for me. The things not accomplished will be in the next list as accomplished goals. Hopefully!

® alexia: We in Canada maybe have a bit better success in being "cool." lol
Thanks for he anniversary greetings.

® Chatty Crone: Summer was interesting and then some. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. When I know what I'm doing, I'll let you know.

Inger said...

Keep up that walking, Rob-Bear! It has been the best part of my long, hot summer, walking the dogs. Other than that, I seem to have developed an icecream and beer (though not together) habit, just to cope with the heat.

Golden Eagle said...

It sounds like you had a good, if busy, summer. :)

Happy 43rd Anniversary!

Rob-bear said...

® Inger: Yes, keep up the walking. Sadly, I no longer have my dog to walk with me. She belongs to another.

® Golden Eagle: Well, more to do that I would have expected, had I not written it all out.Thanks for the anniversary wishes.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Sounds like a great summer! I love my time with my grandkids. I get to do all the things I couldn't get away with for my kids--like spoiling them rotten and sending them home. *grins evilly*

Tattieweasle said...

Good to hear the reading was top of the list such a simple pleasure but one I could never forgo..many congratulation a bit belateldly re your 43rd Wedding Anniversary!

Rob-bear said...

® Better is Possible: Thanks for the anniversary greetings. And yes, having the Cubs here was good.
As to keeping busy, it's so necessary. Bear gets bored very quickly, and when bored, also depressed.
And it seems the "we(s)t" coast has had some different weather this year, too. Strange, all this change.

® Donna K. Weaver: Yes, grandchildren and grandparents seem to be natural allies. And they get away with it because nobody is going to spank grandma!

Tattie Weasle: Thanks for the anniversary greetings, too. Yes, a long time married to the same woman. But it doesn't seem long, really. Grandchildren notwithstanding.

JerseyLil said...

Hi Rob-Bear! Looks like your summer was full. Congrats on your 43rd wedding anniversary, that’s wonderful! And nice that you have grandkids and got to do things with them, especially reading. Very sorry to hear about the depression. My younger brother suffers from depression so I have an understanding of it. I know sometimes it’s hard to shake the blues. Hope autumn will bring more cheer for you!

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

See? Your problem right there - not enough coffee... if I had a summer of only having a few cups of coffee, I'd be right round the bend, snakey as a boa constrictor in a pool of hair relaxer.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Oh, also? I just read this. It was kind of inspiring. Plus it's short. ;)
The poetry on this website, by the way, is absolutely sublime. I think you'll enjoy her.
http://mkimarnold.tumblr.com/post/31370465096/love-is-never-a-fulfillment-life-is-never-a

Posie said...

Bear, how lovely that you spend so many happy times with your grandchildren, your summer sounded so much fun, although I do like the odd glass of wine. I was sorry to read about your depression though, having suffered from reactive anxiety and depression over the past decade I know what a horrendous illness it is. Huge hugs on that one...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

It has been a full summer indeed. Your words always lift me up and your comments give me a smile. Wishing you and J a belated anniversary wish.

Bises,
Genie

Anonymous said...

What an excellent way to wile away the summer. Sending you positive, be happy, be healthy thoughts.

About Last Weekend said...

That was a very good summer. Great to make a list like that- sometimes we underestimate ourselves. 43 years married, deserves a gold medal.

betty said...

Neat how you summarized your summer like this; it did seem like you did a lot of good things and had some healthy things too with walking!! Now onto fall. Depression is an old friend that is unwelcomed when it comes, but always good when it leaves (anxiety and depression are friends of me too sadly)

may it be a good fall!!

as I type this, it is 99 degrees here in Southern California; I don't anticipate fall any time soon.

may Sunday be a good one

betty

chicago foodie girl said...

It sounds like you had a busy, productive, and mostly fun summer. Good for you!