Summer – A Time to Recharge, Catch Up, and Reflect

This past week, as I get ready for a well needed vacation, I’ve been winding down on several residential projects. These clients are looking forward to summer entertaining in their new digs as our short summer season seems to be galloping away. Some, however, are taking the time, while kids are at sleep away camp or they are on “stay-cation” (a time for staying at home and enjoying your own backyard as well as all Long Island has to offer) to catch up on long overdue projects. What a great idea to select the first cloudy or rainy day to attack a garage or a basement project and then jump in the pool or take a long leisurely bath as a reward. Because time, our worst enemy, really does seem to fly, we need to make the most of it, whether planning our down time or planning a project.

Projects always abound and this weekend, three of my clients came to see me at Uniquely Natalie laden with goodies for the consignment shop. It was a “win – win – win” – they divested, I supplied the venue, and some lucky shopper will get a great buy on something of quality which will be right for them.

I am also reflecting this August, a year after my father’s passing last August 3, on my summers with my family when I was young. My Dad, a N.Y. City police officer, took his vacation in the summer so he could spend time with me. My mother, who worked as a bookkeeper, left us to our own devices. Mostly it was the weekly trip to the library where we, he in the adult, and I in the kid’s section, supplied ourselves with enough reading material for a whole week’s worth of reading on the front porch. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful that experience was – the discussions, the companionable silences, the occasional tickle or hug.

But Dad was never idle for very long. I, his trusty assistant, held the hammer, shovel, whatever, as he created the back patio, planted a rose garden for my mother, built a basement bathroom, (not knowing how to get the door completely square, he built the walls around it!), or painted a room. His accomplishments to me, then, were truly amazing – and they still are.

So make your summer memorable, enjoy the fruits of your labor with others, complete a long planned project, do something fun for yourself, make a memory or two - and maybe even read a book.