Let me start by saying I’m not an excuse maker by nature. Truly, I pride myself on being the woman with which the buck stops. “Quit yer whining” is a motto by which I rule my own life and one I impose frequently on my three sons.
But if I were inclined to vent on occasion, I’d have to say that writing during the summer is a challenge and writing during the last two weeks before kids return to school is a feat of monumental proportions. This fact really hit home for me today as I my kids—in short order—broke a piece of furniture, spilled lemonade in the refrigerator, whined for food, then whined for other food then that which was made, asked me questions while I was on the phone with my editor, and then decided kicking each other while on bicycles was a good idea. Okay, I know what you’re thinking—surely the problem lies with poor child rearing and not the seasons. But honestly, my kids are great most of the year. Really stellar kids. They get good grades. They clean the table after dinner. They use manners in front of company if not consistently with their family. But they turn into wretched monsters two weeks before school starts and thwart my every stolen moment of writing with some ridiculous catastrophe after another.
This brought to mind, in turn, another realization. Time of year has a tremendous effect on my writing schedule. Not just for the worse. I love writing in the fall, for example. The academic in me—yes, I was a nerd—still associates autumn with the beginning of hard work and getting down to business. The scent of crisp autumn leaves inspires me and I can happily spend the end of September through November writing like a fiend, only coming up for air to make homemade soup and watch the hellions that are my sons play football.
Then the holidays arrive. December isn’t a bad month for working because it’s cold and dark in northern New York and I enjoy having an excuse to stay indoors. But I don’t like big projects this time of year. I like to pick at smaller things so that I have free time to hang out with my family when they are sane and well-behaved—perhaps all in an elaborate attempt to put on the good show for Santa. I’ll take it either way.
The rest of winter and spring are still fairly productive times too. Snow on the ground means there’s a fire burning in my office and words being typed on my computer. It’s the natural order of things right into May.
And then—can I confess it? I am very tempted to run away from work for awhile. Much as I love to write, I feel called to sit outside and play in my flower gardens or read in the hammock. Summer is so short here that there is a great urgency to take advantage of every moment of warmth and sunshine. So I guess it makes sense that the books I write in the summer require the most editing work. Chances are I wrote in short bursts in between bouts of weeding and trips to the lake.
Still, I persevere and get work accomplished. It’s my Virgo, quit-yer-whining nature. Right up until these last hellacious weeks before school begins and everything grinds to a cranky, cantankerous, can’t-get-anything done halt. I’d like to blame it on my children the kicking bike riders. But as I look at my calendar, knowing the inevitable clockwork timing of my too carefully organized life, I wonder if this is just a necessary part of the bigger cycle. Maybe my big September burst of creativity is only made possible by the spinning wheels that precede it.
Still, I’ll be the one drinking champagne after the big yellow school bus leaves my house next week. The boys may groan about having to get back to work, but as for their mom the nerd? I can’t wait.
Do you notice a seasonal cycle in your life? Do you cook more in the fall or pick up certain hobbies only during specific periods of the year? And what happened to summers being true vacations? Does anyone take a whole month off in the summer and does it help you balance your life?
Chat with Joanne on the boards this week to win a copy of your choice of Blaze from her backlist. Winner drawn at random from all posters on Friday, September 1st.
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Joanne,
My summer has been anything but a vacation this year. My son is almost 3 years old and he has me running. Anyway, it’s so hot here in Texas that I find I’m more lethargic in the summer. I hate having to cook anything in the oven. I find that in the winter, I like baking more and even do a little sewing or cross-stitch. I love the holidays so I just seem to get more done then. I’m hoping that now that my son will start mother’s day out next week, that I’ll be able to get lots of alone time with my favorite passtime…..reading, what else?
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I find that we get our projects around the house done in the spring and fall when the weather is better. In the heat of the summer I have been ignoring the garden except for a little weeding so once the weather is cooler it’s time to clean them up.
by Maureen
on August 30th, 2006 at 7:32 am
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I can’t deal with living in New England. The winters are way too long and I eat and sleep more. Seems like we didn’t have summer. It’s already cold up here in RI. Glad I’m moving soon. I didn’t take a vacation. I’m trying to get things sorted and I’m thinking about my future. Joanne, my wedding’s off. We broke up.
by Melissa
on August 30th, 2006 at 9:08 am
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I usually do more “spring cleaning” in the spring and summer months. I cook and bake more in the fall and winter…however, I think in the summer and spring months I just do more lighter meals(aka easier :D). But I enjoy grilling all year long! I do not limit that yummy food to just one time during the year..LOL And I like to travel no matter what time of year it is…I get cabin fever very easy…so I try to find differnt places to visit(even if they are local). And of course I read all year long:wink:
by Kathleen
on August 30th, 2006 at 9:46 am
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I’m so sorry, Melissa! Hugs on the break-up and good luck with the move. Sometimes a change of venue can be wonderfully healing.
Maureen, I’d like to ignore my garden in the worst of summer, too. But I always end up with a lot of weeds for my negligence!
Am glad to see that so far reading is a year-round pursuit:D. Your realize if it wasn’t I’d be wayyy out of business? Thankfully, a good book goes with everything!
by Joanne Rock
on August 30th, 2006 at 10:16 am
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Joanne,
My husband and I own a company which is very hectic in the spring summer and fall. Winter is our only true down time. So, even though I don’t like the colder weather, I like being able to slow down for a few months and enjoy the holidays. We visit family a lot in the winter and just take it easy.
We do make sure to take short vacations in the summer though. I have a five year old son and he loves the beach. So we take weekend trips to the beach or the mountains all summer long. Where we live in NC, school is year round, so my son started back at the end of July. He loves it and I’m definitely getting more done at home and with work.
by Sandra M.
on August 30th, 2006 at 10:21 am
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The cold or excessive heat makes me turns to indoor activities-reading, cooking, baking, cross-stitch, playing on computer.
The spring and fall are the times I am most comfortable with the weather and that is often when I am outdoors hiking, or at the beach.
We do often take a couple of weeks to a month off during the summer. The kids have no school and we don’t have to do expensive things but it is a break from the norm and keeps us feeling fresh…unless there is time zone changes.
by Little Lamb Lost
on August 30th, 2006 at 10:29 am
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I have 3 year old boy and a baby girl due in October so it seems like there is never enough rest for this weary mom. Than God for my mother and sister who babysat my son for a few days in June for our anniversary so we could get away and have some alone time. I love the holidays! That is my time for baking. Although, I probably won’t be doing much baking in the house with a newborn in the house. I live in Florida so I try to turn the oven on as little as possible during the summer. Especially right now with me being in my 8th month and I am so hot all the time.
by Cherie Japp
on August 30th, 2006 at 10:37 am
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Joanne,
I’m much more productive during the Spring and Fall. Those seasons appeal to me because they seem such a time of change. I usually feel so rejuvenated during those times of year, ready to take on the world. Unfortunately, Winter and Summer affect me quite differently. Winter is so cold and dreary that I feel my motivation waning. Summer makes me want to drop everything and head for the beach. Although, I could always be persuaded to head for the beach lol! 
by Zara
on August 30th, 2006 at 10:45 am
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Thank you, Joanne. 
by Melissa
on August 30th, 2006 at 11:53 am
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I used to knit at winter. Maybe I’ll start doing that again after I’m done with my thesis. At autumn I pick berries in the forest and in the garden. And if summers get to be as hot as this one was, then doing any kind of work is going to be pretty difficult at summer.
by Minna
on August 30th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
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Hello Joanne 
I cook all the time but I try not to cook so much in the summer to hot.
But I do find myself doing more things in the summer cause I don’t like being out in the heat. So I try my best staying in the house unless I have to go out *G*
My fiance and I is planning our first vacation together. We are going to Georgia to visit family. I love in NJ and the only place I have been to is NYC to visit my dad. I would call it a vacation because we got away for about a month. I been in NJ to long 
Hugssss
Linda.H.
by Linda
on August 30th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
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I clean and do more around the house in the winter because it is cooler…we don’t have central air and too much housework during the summer is unbearable.
by Jennifer Y.
on August 30th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
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I bake more and do more crafts in the fall and winter. I find that I tend to be more creative in the fall and winter. Spring and summer I want to do outside activities.
by Crystal B.
on August 30th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
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Fall and winter are my “Suzy Homemaker” seasons. During the spring and summer, I don’t cook big meals or do any baking. It is so hot here in the South, I hardly even do the gardening I used to. But come October, things change! The period from October to January are my nesting months! I cook, clean, organize, etc…. It is really my favorite time of the year.
The best I can manage during the summer is a week off at once, with maybe a day here and there to make a long weekend. I usually use the bulk of my vaction time during the winter…around Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have to “earn” vacation hours where I work and I have a habit of saving them up for the later part of the year. 
Summer doesn’t seem to last as long as it used to when I was in school. Then we were out from the first part of June until after Labor Day. Now, the kids here get out the end of May and return to school the first week in August. 
Mel, I am sorry to hear about your break-up. 
I am sending hugs your way….
by Angie T
on August 30th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
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I seem to cook more in the winter. More to do in the summer.
Went to Fla a few times. All my vacation is used up for this year. We do a lot of dinners/lunches with friends. I enjoy spending time with my grandson.
by Helen Mac
on August 30th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
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i know my brothers start school and it a quiet house. i read and watch tv. all the fun things
by KIM H
on August 30th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
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I really have a lot of difficulties with my posts on blogs being eaten lately.
Really hot and really cold weather keeps me indoors cooking, cross-stitiching and reading. Other time s of the year I love to be outside hiking or sitting in the shade and fresh air reading.
by Little Lamb Lost
on August 31st, 2006 at 9:19 am
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I cook more in the winter making stews, soups and pot roasts; good comfy food
for cold days. Also, the heat from the oven can be utilized.
My dh works from March - Aug. and then gets laid off; guess when I start work and finish, LOL - start Sept. till April. He goes when I come and I come when he
goes.
by Robyn
on August 31st, 2006 at 11:11 am
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Winter I stay put and get the heavy duty jobs done inside. During the summer it is too oppressive and hot. I relax and read all summer. During the fall it is perfect to be outdoors and enjoy the scenery and walks.
by alissa
on August 31st, 2006 at 3:55 pm
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I read much more in the fall & winter months than in summer.
by Danny
on August 31st, 2006 at 4:39 pm
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I enjoy reading and the computer, so I do them probably in equal amounts in summer as in the winter.
by Joyce
on September 1st, 2006 at 2:09 pm
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Since I live in a very moderate and perfect climate I can be outdoors all seasons. But I enjoy the fall the best since it is not too hot. I spend more time indoors doing the clean up and organizing in the winter and cook more than as well. Reading takes up more time then as well.
by ellie
on September 1st, 2006 at 9:31 pm
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Angie, you’ve hit the nail on the head with Suzy Homemaker. That’s it exactly :-). In the spring and summer I want to be the wild girl and by the time fall rolls around I’m in wise old crone mode, baking and nesting and looking forward to the holidays.
Robyn your opposite schedule from your dh sounds tough! You manage that okay? I can’t spend *too* much together time with my dh or we drive each other insane. But then again, we can’t spend too much time apart either. It’s the old “can’t live with em, can’t live without em” dilemma.
by Joanne Rock
on September 1st, 2006 at 10:52 pm
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:):):):) Prize announcement
Congratulations to Alissa, winner of her choice of books from my Blaze backlist! Thanks to everyone who chatted this week and I’ll be back with a new blog entry September 23rd.
by Joanne Rock
on September 1st, 2006 at 11:00 pm
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Big congrats Alissa!
by Danny
on September 2nd, 2006 at 3:13 am
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wtg alissa
by KIM H
on September 3rd, 2006 at 2:11 am
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Congrats Alissa!
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 4th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
