Have you ever sat in a jar of marmalade? I have. These last few weeks. Sticky. My skin ripening, a pale orange tone. I have a sallow complexion, I like to think almost olive, although I suspect many Southern Europeans would laugh at that assertion.
The heat. I love the heat, the giddy temperatures, the smell of sun cream, lolly pops, chilled beer. And after such a shoddy spring, I can't bring myself to complain about the dial soaring past thirty-one degrees. I hope it continues long into September, when golden leaves shine like the sun, and I'm a shrivelled satsuma.
With all this ghastly summer stuff going on, I've barely been near this blog. Writing is very much an indoor pursuit. And the words ain't flowing with the sunshine.... it's like scratching sentences with a fork.
Today, Little A and I stood on a cliff, below the waves and a little boat made for two, across on the horizon, the very faint view of another coast line. A signpost lent next to our spot. It pointed in the direction of the far away land. It said 'Autumn Term'. So Little A and I must navigate ourselves through the summer sea - there will be calm, there will be storms, but we must work as a *captain-second mate team (*I am the captain) if we are to reach the other shore in one piece. There will be play dates and parks and butterflies and fairies and tea and cake and lazing and staring at the skies....
And with so much to enjoy and do, I am taking a much deserved break from Blogland over August. I simply want to sit back and relish the time with my family. The garden awaits. As does wonderful mummy-daughter time. There are my summer reads, brand new, stacked on the book shelf. And there is my novel..... the only written words these next six weeks.
I will return - if I can stay away that long - on 9th September with One Week which will only run for three days from 9-11 September as I am going to a Writing Festival, and actually, if I'm honest, I'm worried I've run out of ideas to extend it to the usual five days.....
So until we meet again, when the nights are drawing in, adieu and farewell.
XXX
Ps. I am also cutting back on my blog reading, so please don't be offended if I don't comment as often over the next month or so. I will be back!
Have a wonderful time and see you when you are back! So lovely to read a post in which the writer enjoys the summer :-) And love 'scratching sentences with a fork'. x
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I intend to! Actually not that many weeks to go and then back to school again! X.
DeleteEnjoy the break! Have a fab summer x
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I will do! X.
DeleteHi Older Mum - bad time to comment but hey hoh! Have been reading you for a while and enjoying your posts. I'm an even Older Mum, having had my 13 year old when I was 40. So it's menopause and puberty at the same time! Great fun! Friday night and I'm waiting for another mum to drop her off while I drink red wine with her dad and wish she was home. Have a good summer. Will try your writing thing this time- looks good and have creative impulses.
ReplyDeleteHello Doris - thank you very much! I have just popped over to your blog too (love the name), and it would seem that I have arrived at the wrong time too! Menopause and puberty - that sounds like a barrel of laughs! Ps. It would be great if you decided to join in the linky!
Deletehave a lovely summer, will miss your old blogola but will come back fresh in the autumn and dont forget to let me know about one week when its lifting off xx
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! I will... can almost see Autumn around the corner as I write this! Don't worry - will remind you! X.
DeleteI'm with you my lovely friend. I'm like a ghost these days, I am loving this summer too much. Unlike you though my skin is so pale and white it's almost transparent, the sun has bleached my hair white and my eyebrows whiter, so I look like a see through jelly fish with no eyebrows! There's an image for you :)
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing summer Sarah and I will join you for One Week in Sept xxxx
At least we are finally getting a summer this year! That image of you made me laugh - at least you'll be easy to spot at Britmums next year! So glad you will be joining in One Week. X.
DeleteI have missed you already and don't blame you an iota. So glad you're going to enjoy your life and your family - makes complete sense. Looking forward to #oneweek on your return xx
ReplyDeleteI'll be back again soon - these summer weeks are flying past so quickly I can hardly catch my breath! So far the summer holidays have been lovely! One Week here we come! X.
DeleteI will miss your writing but understand your need to step back. I find it so difficult to come up with anything to write about and lots of sentence scratching with a fork here too!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your August :-)
xx Jazzy
It won't be for too long :o). Just needed to this summer - had such a busy start to the year! Why don't you give your self a break too - I always find a good break gets the creative juices flowing again. X.
DeleteI do the same - a little space is invaluable. Have a fab summer! Xx
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! I am doing. I hope you are too! X.
DeleteGood for you!! Enjoy the Summer lovely lady, blogland will still be here when you return. Which writing festival by the way?
ReplyDeleteThank you. So far, it's been lovely. It's the Festival of Writing in York 13-15 September, but you don't have to go for the whole thing. :o).
DeleteYou make it all sound so magical, I can see it in your writing, lovely! I am taking my usual rest from blogging too over August, I did it last year and I could feel the cobwebs falling away. I am still slow blogging anyway though :) Ha to your olive skin as you'll see when we meet! Have a lovely summer xxx
ReplyDeleteAh thank you. I think August is a good time to take a break... and I really need it after such a busy start to the year. Slow blogging rules! Hope you have a lovely summer too! X.
DeleteHave a brilliant brilliant summer. I've slowed down recently a lot to enjoy all the sunshine and not force it. I think a break does everyone good from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI am doing..... so far, nice and chilled and relaxed and easy. A break is always a good thing. :o).
DeleteA very sensible idea, you go forth and enjoy the summertime - you will be so glad you did once autumn arrives. I'm just not sure I have the courage! I hope to be able to join in One Week, until then - au revoir :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.... indeed, I am doing just that. Hope you are able to join in One Week when September saunters around (not that long now!) :o).
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, have a fabulous summer - you will be missed! xx
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the break I must say - summer so far is lovely, before we know it, it will be September again. X
DeleteEven in this heat you still write so amazingly well...my brain feels like a fried egg! Enjoy the summer. Looking forward to reading more come September. #oneweek is firmly in my diary :0) x
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind MP.... but it has been hard with all this lovely weather. It will be September before we know it! X.
Deleteenjoy your break mrs, look forward to the return x
ReplyDeleteI jolly well intend to! See you again soon! X.
DeleteI love the heat too... :o)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your summer, I have cut down on posting too, these beautiful days will be over far too soon...xx
Isn't it fab? I am very much enjoying the summer - trying my best to make the most of it! X.
DeleteEnjoy your summer :) I really think a break does everyone good and I have come back refreshed from mine and wanting to post posts instead of feeling I have to if that makes sense. See you soon my love xxx
ReplyDeleteI am doing thank you. Glad to hear you had a good break and are feeling very refreshed.... and I so get what you mean - wanting to write posts than feeling you have to. See you soon! X.
DeleteEnjoy... A break is good for the soul I find! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I couldn't agree more! X.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, beautifully written as always. Look forward to having you back. Enjoy that break, feel quite jealous just carrying on as usual :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much lovely! Enjoying the break so far.... should give me some things to write about - would love to join in your new linky when I come back! :o).
DeleteHave a lovely break. I've let mine slip a bit recently too, is good for us to step back every now and then x
ReplyDeleteI am doing :o). I agree - always good to take a break, I need some fresh ideas! X.
DeleteI think I must have got unsubscribed somehow. I don't remember receiving this post and I've been wondering where you were! Hope you enjoy your summer, see you in the new term. Best wishes. x
ReplyDeleteDon't worry! :o). I am having a lovely time Polly - always good to take a break from things! See you in the new term! X.
DeleteEnjoy the break, lots of folk take the summer hols off, perfect family time isn't it? Enjoy the sun and life and be happy! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, I will! So far, I am having a lovely, relaxed time! (and feeling happy). X.
DeleteHope you are continuing to have a relaxing time away from the blog... am missing your posts though! xx
ReplyDeleteI am..... the funny thing is, allowing myself a little space, am getting lots of ideas for new posts - can I stay away that long? X.
DeleteI'm still waiting patiently for your return .... *hint hint*
ReplyDeleteComing soon.... :o).
DeleteYou know I'm staging a sit in protest don't you... Every day I'll be back egging you on ;)
ReplyDeleteStop making me laugh woman :o)..... I'm back 9th September! :o).
Delete*taps feet impatiently*
ReplyDeleteDo they need a massage? :o).
DeleteI know exactly where you are coming from - and with that I had better go and play with the kids rather than read blogs x
ReplyDeleteSo far it's been a nice break..... life over the summer has been full of play dates and all sorts, so hardly any time for writing. X.
Delete*sings* Why are we waittttting...
ReplyDelete... not long now honey pie!
DeleteHave a lovely break and I look forward to your return. I too slow right down with my blogging in the summer. I still blog but I struggle to sit inside and write when the weather is nice xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's the catch - the weather. How can I possibly be indoors with all this lovely weather - back in two weeks! X
DeleteThank you for your lovely comment. I hope you're enjoying your break. Looking forward to reading you again soon, I miss your posts :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Having a lovely break thank you! I'm starting to miss the blog now too :o).
DeleteI hope u are having a fab break. So nice to be back, thanks for popping in on me. Look forward to yr autumn term. Hope little a and younger dad are super, kimxx
ReplyDeleteI am thank you!!!! Very glad to see you back too! Little A and Younger Dad are super dooper! X.
DeleteAh now I see why the 9th September! I'll stop harassing you then ;)
ReplyDeleteYou'll be a ball of pent up blogging fury by then - I can't wait to see you explode back on the scene!
You can harass me all you like - I'm lovin' it lady! I have to say, I'm really missing the blog... but also a little nervous writing that first post after the break! X
DeleteYou so deserve a break. Enjoy the summer. I've been doing the same. Autumn will come round all too soon and there will be plenty of time to be sat in front of a screen then! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! I have been/ still am enjoying a lovely summer. But autumn is already showing signs.... looking forward to getting back to it all! X.
Delete