LIfestyle Design - Balanced, Clean, Calm, Natural... - Atlanta Intown, 9/05: Who Said Summer Was Over?

When my daughter was 8, she asked me why there was a birdhouse on my business card. I told her that it represented how simple life can really be. By creating Campfires and embracing the Four Basics of Balanced Living, living well comes naturally. When you stop and think about it, what really is a birdhouse?

- a sheltered place to
rest,

- a place for belongings,

- an entrance (and exit),

- a view to the outside,

- a place to sit,

- and a comfortable place
for visitors.

For me, this birdhouse is a campfire, a center of positive energy that encourages meaningful experiences. If we take focus a bit of time and thought in the right direction, we can create the experiences of life, instead of the appearance of life.

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Atlanta Intown — September, 2005

So, Who Said Summer Has to Be Over??

By Christine Eisner

Having moved to Atlanta from London over 10 years ago— one of the things I’ve appreciated most has been the sunlight here. So for me, it was going from good to great to hear that, starting in 2006, we will be gaining some extra daylight every fall. Although the change in Daylight Savings Time will not take place yet, there are other ways to keep those summer breezes blowing - even well into October.

For me and many others, September means going full force into the annual fall back-to-reality cycle of new projects, school and work obligations, and other commitments. I find myself expecting cooler weather, fall sports, apple cider, and everything that autumn means. But wait, I tell myself — we’re nowhere near the ‘football weather’ of my native Northeast! So why should it mean that I have to surrender to fall?

Somehow fall is a unique ‘New Year’ – similar to January 1st, but also very different, with its own transitions and new beginnings. Here in the south, we’re fortunate that the summer weather is still in full swing. I admit to a real reluctance to say goodbye to the relaxed pace of Summer. So I simply choose to linger in summer mode a bit longer. I’ve found that doing this works for me as well my family and allows us a smoother transition into the realities of each ‘New Year’.

Here are some of my ways to preserve that very special spirit of summer:

Don’t Let the Memories Fade - Instead of immediately packing away all of your summer memories, set aside some special items and arrange them so that you can continue to enjoy what they say to you – perhaps a few seashells, some framed photos, or something else acquired or created while on the road or in here in town.
Those Great Beach Reads - If you didn’t get to that last bit of ‘lite reading’ that was in your beachbag, don’t give it up yet. There’s plenty of time for that stack of more serious stuff that’s piled up on your night table. Give yourself permission to get in one last frivolous read.
Music, Sweet Music - They say that music can bring you to special place faster than almost anything. Whether it’s Jimmy Buffet, a soundtrack to a summer movie, or a CD from a favorite Chastain Park evening, keep it playing on your I-pod, in your car, or at home.
Summer Fun - Don’t move too quickly into fall meals and entertaining. Make a point of staying with all that summer has to offer: fresh corn on the cob and other local grown produce, proscutto and melon, and other summer food and recipe favorites — and remember, there are still many weeks of barbeque weather to come. I try to take advantage of the ease of casual summer entertaining to invite friends over for easy suppers and catching up on summer events.
School Shoes and Long Pants: Why Not Think About That Tomorrow? - Who in their right mind wants to buy fall clothes in 90 degree weather (or, for that matter, bikinis when its freezing outside)? Forget that chore for the moment and revisit it when the weather – and the prices – come down.

Of course, the reality for almost all of us is that things can get a bit crazy as soon as August moves to September, but it never hurts to keep those last rays of summer shining a bit longer. A smoother transition to fall seems to make the frenzy of fall a bit easier to handle – which is always a good thing.