We went out to the Velodrome last night with Shari & Rick, and met Bill & Marie M there along with Joe & Laura. It was the last race of the season, the weather was perfect, and the place was as full as I’ve seen it in years — the whole scene still hasn’t recovered from COVID, and maybe it never will, but last night it was almost as full as the Friday nights of old. And it was just a lovely night, with some truly exciting Madison Cup racing, good friends, beer and french fries, and a spectacular fireworks show at the end. (I realize now that, between MusikFest, New Years, Independence Day, Heritage Day, and the odd Friday night at Coca Cola Park, I have become a fireworks snob…)
Anyway, it was a good night, and today we’re off on a birthday ride: Sean C set up a slopeside party and overnight camping trip for Jen at Blue Mountain, and we’re all biking there together.
It’s not the end of summer yet, and we’ve got a few more things planned before the cold weather arrives, but the late-summer bugs are singing, some kids are already back at school, and you can feel the plants getting ready to turn color. The seasons are turning, as they always do.
I could also feel a change in the weather, earlier nights, cooler nights, cicadas getting louder, and a sense of urgency that nature is getting ready to shut down so I quck need to get in that extra swim, sit in the warmth of the backyard, and grudgingly anticipate the coming months.
When I was teaching, I felt like death was approachinfg. I dreaded the start of school more than as a student. I really didn’t like clasroom teaching. Some of it was OK but only a small “some.”
If I could drive, I’d go to the beach by the inlet and watch the boats, step into the ocean just to conect to its tidal pull. I miss that the most but have pictures and memories to console me.