Bummer Summer

I adore summer but if the truth be told this one is going down in flames. I'm not a  teenager complaining because I missed curfew and had my cell phone taken away. I wish.

No, I've had quite a few May11ths in my life so I have amassed a strong database. Granted, my birthday cakes are basically frosted in candles. Things looked promising as I raced (walked) out of school in June--Yippee! Every year that glorioius "last day" trumps Christmas, New Year's Eve and definitely Valentine's Day!

Family feuds, financial hardship and legal nightmares got their hooks in me faster than a charter fishing captain. The grueling fights wore me down to the bone. Or have they? Just when I can't put on the armour and battle into the night one more time I pick myself up and do something for me.

The only activity that has kept me sane during this blazing summer is running. Other remedies include movies, books, the beach, pedicures, ice cream and did I mention running???? I'm not running for time, place or God-forbid, trophies. I am running to "check out" and be untouchable for about 30 blessed minutes. The armour committment is unnecessary; no steel helmets, just running shoes, shorts and an Ipod (optional).

So when I just told my 84-year-old mother who lives in assisted living that I desperately want to trade lives with her, I realized it would never work. No amount of balloon volleyball would dissolve my problems. I think I could make good tracks with her walker but for right now I think I'll tie up the old running shoes, glance at the calendar and rejoice that we are indeed still basking in summer.