Thursday, July 10, 2014

This Is My Brain on Summer

My attention span suffers from a bad case of summeritis. That’s right, it flits like a firefly, shoots like a Roman candle, and lands like a cannonball at the town pool.  Since I can’t manage a handful of paragraphs on one topic, I’ll take the scattershot approach.

Flits like a firefly
My children make fun of my not-smart phone, but I had the last laugh over the Fourth of July weekend. Three hours from home, I discovered I’d forgotten my phone charger. Worse, I had to remain out-of-town for a couple of days after my husband returned home, and we’d planned to stay in touch via phone. For the heck of it, I plugged my Kindle charger into my phone, and it worked! Bwahaha! Those of you with iPhones wouldn’t be as lucky. (Then again, perhaps you wouldn’t forget a phone in the first place.) For future short trips, I’m only bringing the Kindle charger. Pack light, right?

Alas, the phone charger wasn’t the only thing I forgot. I neglected to pack a comb. When Hubs returned home, and I could no longer borrow his, I had to improvise because heaven forbid I run to the store with uncombed hair. I used a fork. Go on, laugh. It resulted in an acceptable if wind-blown look. (At least that’s what I told myself.)

Shoots like a Roman candle
The symptoms of summeritis vary from individual to individual, but one of mine is a longing for France. Since I’ve got no chance of a European adventure this year, I’m appeasing my Francophile yearning by reading Ann Mah’s MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH EATING and following David Lebovitz’s blog, Living the Sweet Life in Paris

I resisted Mah’s book for a while because the title, meant as homage to Julia Child’s MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING, put me off. The title still leaves me cold, but the book is a warm reminiscence of writer Mah’s struggle to make the most of a year alone in Paris while her diplomat husband serves in Iraq. Making the most of a year in Paris wouldn’t be a hardship for some, but know that Mah, a newlywed at the time, experiences the same disappointment a military spouse feels when a last-minute change in assignment sends off the soldier while the trailing spouse is left behind to adjust to new surroundings, a new culture, new people. Curiosity, an insatiable interest in food, and a job help Mah adjust. I'm devouring the book and recipes.

Pastry chef David Lebovitz’s blog reflects his wide-ranging interest in food, travel, and cooking. His books include THE SWEET LIFE IN PARIS, which I own, and his latest, MY PARIS KITCHEN, which I intend to buy tout de suite.

Lands like a cannonball
Three times over the past week and in two different locales, I’ve seen Realtor signs in front of existing houses with a “Coming Soon” message. In other words, those houses sprouted for sale signs before they were for sale. Is “Coming Soon” meant to create a sense of urgency? is it a way for listing agents to garner the names and phone numbers of potential buyers? To me, the sign signals a seller’s market. There was a time, not too long ago, when I couldn't picture people taking Sunday drives to look at neighborhoods and houses. 

See what I mean about my attention span? How’s yours this summer?

8 comments:

Patricia Rickrode w/a Jansen Schmidt said...

I'm kind of with you on this one, Pat. I usually don't mind the heat - I really don't, unless I'm trying to write. It's like the hot weather fries my brain cells and there's no synapses at all.

Using a fork as a comb? That was one of Arial's thing-a-ma-bobs in The Little Mermaid. She used a fork to comb her hair. It's clever, really.

Hang in there. Fall's a comin'.

Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt

Jennette Marie Powell said...

My attention span's been shot for years, it seems. LOL at the fork--and props to you for improvising! And interchangeable chargers (and other accessories) is one reason my family and I love our Android phones. :)

Now if only cooler weather would bring back my attention span...

Lark Howard said...

Hi, Pat! For some reason, summer hasn't bothered me so far this year. Every morning at 6ish, my husband and I take our two 8 month old puppies for a long walk in the neighborhood and those have been surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable so far.

I'm going to France this year to do something I've thought about for a long time--a French immersions course in Provence--but not until September. Wait, this is Houston so September is still summer as is October and even November some years.

Lark Howard said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Uh, Patricia/Jansen, you want to revise that comment about not minding the heat in light of the sauna that was San Antonio last week? I wilted. Thanks so much for meeting me and visiting over G&Ts. You're a good friend.

I didn't know Ariel used a fork as a comb. I have much to learn about Disney characters.

Summer has its compensations. I think I'll keep it a while longer.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Jennette,
Yes! It's my attention span I miss the most. Must focus. Must focus.

Hi to Isis the puppy from me.

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

Hi, Lark,
Your comment popped up twice, probably because that news about your French immersion course is doubly exciting. Seriously, I am yoo-hooing for you here.

You're a good dog mama for getting those pups out bright and early--and that morning walk's good for you and Steve, too.

France in September! Good for you!

Unknown said...

What attention span?

I, like you, had no idea that Disney should get credit for the fork idea. I was truly impressed until I read Patricia Rickrode's comment. I too, it seems, have a lot to learn about Disney. And Disneyland is in my backyard. If I had small children, perhaps I would be more acquainted with The Little Mermaid. *sigh*

Okay, may I just say it? I am officially jealous. First you meet up with Prudence, then Patricia. And G&T's no less. I thought is was bad enough to be barred from your Blogger email posts. But I see how it is. :)

Glad I dropped in so I can keep an eye on you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. May it be mild and dry! ((Hugs!))