routines

Hello August

I’m glad you are here (both August, and you, reader). It’s time to transition again. I will reclaim the joy of a schedule, while at the same time mourn the loss of summer pace. It’s a slow, but timely transition. I trust you, August, knowing you will once again help me prepare for the start of a new school year. I will be ready, with a happy heart. So, as part of the transition from summer to school, I want to say hello to…

  • Hello slow cooker, I’ve missed bar-b-que shredded beef sandwiches, lime chicken tacos, and vegetable soup .
  • Hello laptop cover, I remember you get packed late at night, my computer charged for the next day.
  • Hello travel mug, you make me smile, keeping my tea warm on the long morning drive.
  • Hello afternoon runs, I can squeeze you in while dinner cooks and homework is completed.
  • Hello new school supplies, yes, Flair pens, I’ll buy you again this season.
  • Hello make up and jewelry, you are not forgotten.
  • Hello school friends, we will catch up, making it feel like months haven’t passed.
  • Hello golden leaves, crisp chilled air, and harvest field, you soothe my soul.

How about you? What are you looking forward to saying hello to?


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15 thoughts on “Hello August

  1. I have to admit that it’s hard to say goodbye to summer when it’s still here. We in Tennessee started last Friday – our students return this week. HOWEVER, I really liked your post and it made me feel much better about the routine, the travel mug, and the jewelry that I, too, have missed. And now I’ll look forward to those crisp days ahead. Thank you for the encouragement, and a reminder that I really do love what I do! And I too would love to know more about the chicken lime tacos.

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  2. This reminds me of a writing prompt that I use right before fall arrives. We Kiss Summer Goodbye and then Embrace Festive Fall! It’s a fun exercise and helps them focus on fall festivities while mourning the loss of summer.
    Hello school supplies is one of my favorites. Friends helped me pick up 25 cent composition books yesterday (have to beat that “Limit 3” somehow). Just spending time in an office supply store and treating myself to new pens helps me transition to back to school time.
    I love the line “I will be ready, with a happy heart.”

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  3. I loved the happy heart post on the running blog when I first read it and I so enjoyed the link back to it here. The reference reminds me of how writers participate in conversations that are sometimes larger and more meaning laden than our first read lets us (or our students) see. Plus I just love that language and the joyful reminder. I’m getting reacquainted with my blow dryer, my school shoes and my lunch box. Welcome, August!

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  4. delightful list, Ruth! I’ve been lamenting “goodbye” to all the wonderful parts of summer and begrudging my “hello”s to schoolwork (mostly just because I feel like I have waaaaay too much to do before school comes!)… but I love all your positive “hello”s! Thanks for reminding us of all the little everyday delights that fall brings!

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  5. You got me on the ‘laptop cover’. Oh yes, I have to pack it up for travel, don’t I? But what I’m really ready to say hello to is the students. They are the ones that energize us all. It’s just a few weeks now, & lots of talk with teachers, too which is exciting. Thanks for putting our feelings into your post, Ruth.

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  6. Ruth,
    Welcome back from vacation! 😉
    I read your post and recorded a list of hellos in my writers notebook! Wow will there be a lot of hellos this year! After I wrote them I went back through and labeled them with home or job, 95%of the hellos are job related. Then I sub sorted the job hellos by staff, students, content or process…most new things this year will be student and content related! I think this might also help me to get some goals started!
    Thank you for you post!
    Amy

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  7. For those of us in the Northeast, this is actually the “midpoint” of our “vacation.” Yet, whenever I turn the calendar to August, I also start shopping for school supply bargains (like the 1 cent folders), back to school clothes (not that I have grown or anything) and planning for the new year.

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  8. Love your list Ruth! I’ve been back at work for a week, and am still trying to get the hang of getting out the door in the morning. It’s not that I’m not up, because I am a total morning girl, it’s just that getting organized and out the door with a charged phone, computer, etc. OK, happy heart (and deep breath)!

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  9. Yes, here is August, and I have to plan a teacher workshop for next week, so I am saying, “Hello, Day by Day, you will help me prepare teachers for a great year of writing practice.”

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  10. I enjoyed your list Ruth! While I’m not joyfully saying hello to August (yet), I can so easily relate to most items on your list of hellos. I only hope the transition to the school year is a slow transition, as you said, and not a head-spinning turn from leisure to chaos! And on another note, how about the recipe for the slow cooker lime chicken tacos!? It sounds like a meal that needs to be in my slow cooker!

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