Labor Day
As seasons do, summer is drifting away. The earliest portents of autumn have appeared. On a walk through the park this morning, I noticed that many of the trees -- some still shaking off their trauma from the recent tropical storm -- had shed the first of their leaves for the season. Perhaps also shaking off the last of the effects of the storm, squirrels seemed just this side of panicked as they rushed around readying their urban homes for autumn -- even, given the far-thinking nature of these creatures, (stage whisper) winter.
It is fitting that today is Labor Day, for we have earned the day off. Though we equate summer with a slower pace, it's been a busy season at Urban Home Blog. We got a head start on our annual Labor Day decorating project, a large undertaking which consumed every weekend in July through early August. It was exciting not just creatively and as something that impacts our home but professionally, as I tweeted our progress (including pictures). I was heartened at readers' interest in the project. Writing about this project led to an outside decorating assignment, and even got me a few words on a favorite radio station.
My best friend came to New York for a Pride Weekend that turned out to be more prideful than most, as same sex marriage was legalized in New York state. Aside from our usual round-robin of favorite haunts in the Village, he joined us for evenings at our favorite Basque restaurant and our favorite steakhouse. Thanks to our wonderful family of friends, this last turned into an impromptu celebration of John's and my finally being able, after twenty years together, to say we are engaged. The weekend culminated a few days later in an expression of true gratitude and pride as I fulfilled my annual, and deeply gratifying, volunteer role of overseeing the graduation ceremony for Harvey Milk High School.
We traveled to the Pennsylvania mountains to attend a surprise keystone birthday party that my brother's wife skillfully arranged for him. The event was held in a beautiful home in the Poconos on a summer evening cool enough for deer and foxes to sniff at the edges of the area warmed by the fire pit. The buffet groaned with Pennsylvania specialties, including sausage and peppers drenched in the region's signature red sauce and a never-ending supply of the best chicken wings I've ever eaten. We ate cake under fireworks and drank beer and wine and reminisced and said hello to frogs, simultaneously curious and shy, as they hopped upon the patio before hopping away just as quickly as the weekend would.
Back in Astoria, in the business district over Labor Day weekend I watched kids circulating the aisles of stores, filling baskets with school supplies. They will probably behave otherwise on the morning of, but they seemed as excited about the first day of school as their parents seemed grateful. That revitalized energy is the hallmark of this month where summer transitions to autumn. September is a month where culmination meets reinvigoration. Along with school supplies come new clothes, for the start of a new grade means another year's growth.
On the homefront, it is time to transition the summer home to the autumn one. For some, that means getting in a few more weekends at a second home before shuttering it for the season. For some, it means setting up well-lit areas for homework both scholarly and professional, for restocking the pantry, for changing closets from cotton and duck to flannel and wool, for taking heavy quilts and comforters out of camphor-scented storage. We check off and store the first round of canning and preserving not just to stock the larder for long months ahead, but to make room for the next round: putting up harvest fruits and vegetables.
Whether it is back to school or back to work, September grounds us with the renewed energy of satisfaction from tasks accomplished, duties met. But that doesn't mean September is a harsh taskmaster, for even as the work week picks up, nights and weekends are still carry the fresh air of freedom. Time presents itself for late-summer walks through the park, weeknight dinner dates, weekend picnics. Just ask any virgo: September is the intermediary. Leisure is earned as a result of work, and work seems less trying in this agreeable context. Though we throw open the windows to cooler evenings, there is still plenty of sunshine to warm the days.
It is fitting that today is Labor Day, for we have earned the day off. Though we equate summer with a slower pace, it's been a busy season at Urban Home Blog. We got a head start on our annual Labor Day decorating project, a large undertaking which consumed every weekend in July through early August. It was exciting not just creatively and as something that impacts our home but professionally, as I tweeted our progress (including pictures). I was heartened at readers' interest in the project. Writing about this project led to an outside decorating assignment, and even got me a few words on a favorite radio station.
My best friend came to New York for a Pride Weekend that turned out to be more prideful than most, as same sex marriage was legalized in New York state. Aside from our usual round-robin of favorite haunts in the Village, he joined us for evenings at our favorite Basque restaurant and our favorite steakhouse. Thanks to our wonderful family of friends, this last turned into an impromptu celebration of John's and my finally being able, after twenty years together, to say we are engaged. The weekend culminated a few days later in an expression of true gratitude and pride as I fulfilled my annual, and deeply gratifying, volunteer role of overseeing the graduation ceremony for Harvey Milk High School.
We traveled to the Pennsylvania mountains to attend a surprise keystone birthday party that my brother's wife skillfully arranged for him. The event was held in a beautiful home in the Poconos on a summer evening cool enough for deer and foxes to sniff at the edges of the area warmed by the fire pit. The buffet groaned with Pennsylvania specialties, including sausage and peppers drenched in the region's signature red sauce and a never-ending supply of the best chicken wings I've ever eaten. We ate cake under fireworks and drank beer and wine and reminisced and said hello to frogs, simultaneously curious and shy, as they hopped upon the patio before hopping away just as quickly as the weekend would.
Back in Astoria, in the business district over Labor Day weekend I watched kids circulating the aisles of stores, filling baskets with school supplies. They will probably behave otherwise on the morning of, but they seemed as excited about the first day of school as their parents seemed grateful. That revitalized energy is the hallmark of this month where summer transitions to autumn. September is a month where culmination meets reinvigoration. Along with school supplies come new clothes, for the start of a new grade means another year's growth.
On the homefront, it is time to transition the summer home to the autumn one. For some, that means getting in a few more weekends at a second home before shuttering it for the season. For some, it means setting up well-lit areas for homework both scholarly and professional, for restocking the pantry, for changing closets from cotton and duck to flannel and wool, for taking heavy quilts and comforters out of camphor-scented storage. We check off and store the first round of canning and preserving not just to stock the larder for long months ahead, but to make room for the next round: putting up harvest fruits and vegetables.
Whether it is back to school or back to work, September grounds us with the renewed energy of satisfaction from tasks accomplished, duties met. But that doesn't mean September is a harsh taskmaster, for even as the work week picks up, nights and weekends are still carry the fresh air of freedom. Time presents itself for late-summer walks through the park, weeknight dinner dates, weekend picnics. Just ask any virgo: September is the intermediary. Leisure is earned as a result of work, and work seems less trying in this agreeable context. Though we throw open the windows to cooler evenings, there is still plenty of sunshine to warm the days.
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