Summer. Even saying the word makes me feel good. I think the magic of this season is so much a part me because of the rhythms of school ingrained from childhood. From my earliest memories it has always been ten months of school (September to June), two months of summer holidays (July and August)—the standard in Canada.
Then there’s the weather. Where I live, in the northern hemisphere, much of the year is chilly. The warmest months of the year argue loudly for a break in routine. And that’s what summer is for many of us.
One of my favourite summer activities is reading. I read all year but summer with its beach mornings, its lazy afternoons, its long light evenings makes it especially conducive to getting lost in a good book, or series of books.
“Egghead” sculpture by Kimber Fiebiger (On exhibit in Castlegar B.C., 2016)
Explanation of the sculpture: “Egghead is a tribute to all people who are excited by a good book.”
A couple of summers ago I read all of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. Last year I indulged in Tolstoy, completing Anna Karenina (not the most upbeat read but long-lasting).
A Story
Tradition
not in her memoir.
No Grannies
bone china.
Grew up in fast company—
tale of Twisted Tea.
© 2018 by Violet Nesdoly
This year I’m reading the Lord of the Rings books. (Are there three or six? The Kindle collection I downloaded has six!) Though I’ve already been reading it for some weeks, I am only at 36%, it will probably take me much of the summer to complete, and thus it’s the perfect fat summer tome (especially as it’s readily available, without added weight or bulk, on my iPad).
Feeling Small
Joined by marigolds
I am safe in Mother’s arms
reading giant tales
© 2018 by Violet Nesdoly
As well, summer is the perfect time to read the bestseller of all time—the Bible. Whether you read it chronologically in great chunks or selectively a few verses at a time, it’s sure to enhance the spiritual aspect of your summer reading. If you’ve never read it before, try reading a modern version (like The Living Bible – TLB). A good place to start might be the life of Jesus as told in the Gospels of Matthew or Luke (the first and third books of the New Testament).
What about you—do you also enjoy wiling away the summer hours with books? Which ones would you suggest?
(The poems are from my 2017 “Summer Shorts” photo / poem project.)
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This post is linked to Spiritual Journey (first) Thursday, hosted today by Margaret Simon on her blog Reflections on the Teche.
This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Linda at 
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
Take a hike
A week ago today the Capture Your 365 photo prompt was “Take a hike.” On my walk that day I photographed several woodsy hiking paths, pondering all the while what other ways I could interpret the prompt.
Then, walking through Portage Park, past a newly installed shelter and picnic tables (probably saw them for the first time a week prior), I noticed pink graffiti everywhere. Yuck. What a mess. Take hike indeed!
Graffiti in the park (Photo © 2017 by V. Nesdoly)
Take a Hike
Graffiti boy
on your bike
we don’t like
you using your spray can
as a mike.
Shoo, boy, shoo!
We’ve had enough of you.
Take a hike!
Stay out of our park
for your after-dark lark
we don’t want your mark—
of anti-us snark!
© 2017 by Violet Nesdoly (All rights reserved)
Thankfully the city crew was on it quickly. When I went by a few days later, it was all cleaned up.
This poem is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Matt Forrest Esenwine at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme. Thanks Matt (author of the just-out and already highly acclaimed Flashlight Night).
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on September 8, 2017 in Light, People, Poetry Friday
Tags: graffiti, Kids, photo challenge, rap, social comment, Summer Shorts 2017