Micro Fiction Monday: End of Summer (BEDS 019)

I dipped my big toe in first. The water was cold—freezing, even—but so was the air around me. The sun was just beginning to shimmer above the horizon. It was too early to be awake, and far too soon to be leaving.

At least, that’s what everyone said. But summer was ending, and already I could see a yellow tint on the leaves above the cabin. Registration for classes had come and gone, and back-to-school ads plagued the radio that my sister had brought down to the beach every day. Now, the car was getting packed and loaded, and soon our summer home would disappear behind the mountains for another nine months.

I lowered myself onto the dock, easing the rest of my foot into the water. I swung my other leg around and eased it in, too, shivering as I did. There was no time to be slow, no time to get used to the temperature. So I slowly swung my legs beneath the water, hands gripping the dock, and stared off at the horizon as the sun inched its way up. The other cottages dotting the lake remained dark, and the birds and crickets remained quiet.

In that moment, it was just me and the lake. Just how I liked it.

                
Eventually, my peace ended. I was called back to the car, the engine revved, and we pulled out of the driveway for the last time. With my sister already asleep on my shoulder, I watched as our house disappeared out of sight, taking my summer with it.

Micro Fiction Monday: Crazy

This summer is for catching fireflies. Every summer is different. Last summer, I spent every day the pool, until my finger tips were permanently wrinkled and the chlorine turned my blonde hair green. The summer before, I boycotted shoes. No sandals, no flats, no sneakers. I went barefoot or I didn’t go at all.

This summer, I want to catch fireflies. I want to run in the field behind my house with a net in one hand and a jar in the other. I want to fill a dozen jars with their light, for my entire bedroom to be illuminated with their glow.

It’s weird, maybe a little crazy. I haven’t caught a firefly since I was a kid. Everyone else I know is working, going to the beach, having bonfires in their backyards. Normal summer things.

But I keep the jar in my hand anyway. Because summer is meant for crazy.

Refreshments

There's something about a simple vacation that motivates you to get stuff done.

Yesterday, I returned home from a 4-day camping trip with a small group of friends. I had an absolute blast--even if I left covered in mosquito bites. And after spending that time swimming, reading, and taking over the world (i.e. playing Risk), I feel more ready now than ever to buckle down and start writing.

It's surprising how much such a simple and quick little trip can just reset everything--refresh my mind and get me back to work. It's one thing to spend four days procrastinating, with the reminder of what I should be doing hovering over me and stressing me out. Having the knowledge that I don't have to write, that I can take this time to relax and spend time with friends, makes me feel so much lighter and that much more willing to get back to work after everything's over.

So while certain aspects of my trip linger around--my countless mosquito bites, my raspy voice (a result of much talking, yelling, and goofing around in general with friends), and the scent of campfire smoke clinging to my clothes--my vacation is over.

Time to get back to work.

Until later,

- Justyne