Summer Time Fun
Matt Seinberg

Last summer was not one I would call fun. I can't go into details, I was home for nine weeks; the first 2 weeks in the house. After that, I couldn't wait to get outside and do something, anything.

Anything, it turned out, was sitting and reading.

That turned out to be sitting in my favourite chair, reading twelve books and listening to music. I wasn't that mobile, so my chair was near the back stairs and I had my trusty cane with me. I also had the house and cell phones right next to me on a table.

I ended up getting quite a nice tan just from sitting in the backyard.

Around week five, of being home, Marcy, my wife, convinced me to go to the beach with her. I still had to use my cane and could only carry a light bag with our beach supplies in it. She carried our chairs.

Later in the afternoon as we were walking along the water, I looked out to the water and suddenly got dizzy. I quickly took a hold of Marcy's arm and got away from the water. I guess that my balance still wasn't back yet.

My tan was certainly getting better!

We went to the beach two more times and each time I was stronger and stronger. I didn't need my cane. This was the first time in years that I went to the beach on a Sunday three times, much less once!

By the time I went back to work, I looked quite healthy with a great tan!

This year, it's things as usual. A couple of weeks ago, Michelle, my daughter, and I took a quick trip up to Syracuse to visit my father. I also saw some radio friends. It was a nice trip away and anytime you don't have to clean your room or do any sort of cooking, I guess it's a vacation.

In July, we're taking a cruise and I'm certainly looking forward to that. I must work on my tan this week, so I won't burn while in the Caribbean. I did that once and it wasn't any fun. Luckily, one of our friends had some aloe lotion with them, and that made a huge difference.

I plan on sitting on the deck, hat and sunglasses on, ear buds in and listening to some music while watching the bikinis bounce by. Yes, I like to be stealthy. Maybe I'll even treat myself to a nice, cold tropical drink in a souvenir cup of some sort. I'm not a big drinker, but sometimes, you just need to splurge.

Another Jimmy Buffet concert is on my agenda.

Then on 15 August, I'm going to yet another Jimmy Buffett concert, at Jones Beach. I've been to so many that I can't keep count. I'm thinking of taking that Wednesday and Thursday off as well and having another mini staycation.

My wife and kids will be working. It will be some well-needed and deserved time for me. Sometimes we just get tired of being around people; am I right? There's nothing wrong with wanting to be alone sometimes. I have plenty to do, and a daytime nap is one of them.

So have a great summer, and I'll write about the cruise once we get back!