The Dog Days of Summer - July!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of July, I think about a free month to do whatever I need to have some fun!  There have been times that I've had some training days in July for the latest curriculum shift, but for the rest of July, I'm soaking up the dog days of summer.

July in Columbus, Wisconsin, starts out with a week-long festival celebrating our nation’s independence.  Throughout the week, we hear music from local bands playing in the park, screaming from the kids on carnival rides, and noises from carnival games and food carts. Firemen’s Park is full of people of all ages and activities galore.  It’s a tradition in Columbus that invites tourists for our festivities that conclude with the 4th of July parade and fireworks in the evening. Literally, July starts with a Bang!

As a teacher, I’ve always looked at July as a time to step away from all things school.  I spend weekdays catching up with friends for shopping or lunch or a beverage or two! I love to golf, so golfing in the mornings, with afternoons filled with beaches, pools, or patios.  I purchased a convertible in 2020 (during Covid19), and love to take a spin with my pooch, Stanlee.  If it’s sunny, I’m outside! 

Whenever our family has had a family vacation, it was always in July.  We’ve spent the hot July days in D.C. and Virginia, as well as out west in South Dakota taking in the sights there! Our family had a timeshare outside of Wisconsin Dells. We’d spend many hours at the facility’s pools, parks, and mini-golf.  We’d spend a day in the Dells, letting each boy choose a thing that he wanted to do and then doing it – the deer park, a water park, an amusement park, even taking duck rides through the scenic and historic Wisconsin Dells area. 

Whatever trips I’ve planned with family were also scheduled around any trips I’ve made with my girlfriends. I’ve spent long weekends exploring our home state of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, New Glarus, Sheboygan, Door County, Port Washington, La Crosse, Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, canoeing, camping, shopping, beaching, and getting a little tipsy.  July is for letting loose and soaking up the sun and every ounce of summer.  

July is a self-care, self-indulgent month.  It’s the break that I need in order to feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the following school year.  When August approaches, it feels like a Sunday night before a work week – mental preparation for what’s about to happen.  Don’t get me wrong, there are still days to enjoy in August before heading back to school.  I take every single day that isn’t delegated by someone else to nurture our family and myself for what’s next.  

July is the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of summer. Time for golf, pickleball, baseball, and lazy days in the sun, catching up on the “fun” reading and MAYBE adding a professional read, if one pops up in my purview.  It’s MY TIME to do as I like.  So with that – ENJOY, July!!  Absorb all of life’s moments and capture them!  The dog days of summer will be gone before you know it.  Soak up the sun and play in the pool. Get together with friends and family and indulge a little.  You won’t regret it!