#augustbreak: valediction
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Amanda talked today on Twitter about her blog having a case of the tumbleweeds, but mine has been even worse. (So grateful for Laura’s panzanella for brightening up the place.) And I really would like to write a better post telling you more about actual stuff that happened in the past few months, but instead everything looks like this: boxes and things where they’re not supposed to be and the long list of things we always meant to spruce up around here that are now being spruced for whoever buys the house from us.
If you couldn’t tell, a month of upheaval is as good a time as any for August Break. Last year, this project threw my writing mojo for a loop and I never quite bounced back. This year, I’m in the opposite situation—instead of blogging too often, I haven’t been blogging enough. Last year I didn’t dare to say a tenth of what was pushing at my throat. This year, I’ve been ready to speak but haven’t had the time… or energy, when the time came to me. Last year, I was holding all my friends at arm’s length, not knowing if I’d scream or cry or laugh or where I would be living by the time fall set in. This year, I am loved, joyfully, resiliently, and fearlessly. And I know where home is and who lives there.
This August I turn 39 and I submit my home, my sanctuary, to the abacus eyes of real estate agents and prospective purchasers. Every decision represents a dollar that will go toward our new house. This August is not just documenting the everyday of a summer month—it’s saying goodbye to the home where Myron and I were newlyweds. I haven’t lived in one place this long since I first left home at eighteen. It’s grown around me like a shell. And shells crack open.
august break, elegies, moving, places I've lived, summer in blog projects, everyday by Kim Samsin
Reader Comments (5)
Yay! And look at you, you wrote a whole post, unlike my lazy-ass hungover self.
Well...don't we all have a ton on our plates? Oy! I look forward to following your posts. And psyched I found you...that vegan panzanella looks insanely delicious!!!
Looks like you have a busy time ahead, good luck with it! I too have a huge list of things to do around here, none of which seem to be happening...I get too distracted by shiny things...ooh look, mouthwatering panzanella recipe.....
We've been talking about that shell since March. Do you think it might in fact be our word of the year? And I appreciate a further act of synchronicity: as you pack your boxes, there are 4 days to the countdown of when I can finally begin to unpack mine...
Amanda: That ain't gonna happen very often. Don't get used to it.
Caroline: Hi, so nice to meet you! And thank you so much about the panzanella compliments. Laura ended up using my photo herself, which was a great compliment.
Debbie: Thank you, hon. I'm really going to be glad to have these images to look back on; the entire month is already a whirlwind (see day 2).
Roxanne: That was just for you, that line. And I'll be counting down along with you.