This is the first summer in a long time that I've actually been at home in Toronto all of July and August; and it's been so great it now makes me want to always take my vacation in May or early June so that I can be home all summer. I loved the two Junes I spent in Berkeley. Both times I experienced and enjoyed a vibe that just wasn't there during the school year. And I'm noticing the same thing about Toronto this summer.
The last Friday in June was very hot and very sunny. After a lunch with E. and C. where we started off outside but before our food came had to seek shelter in the air conditioned interior to relieve the steady sweat that dripped off, and the glaring brightness that surrounded us, E. and I took her dog to the park. The whole time there was so relaxed. First we hung out in the off leash area with lots of other dogs and their owners, and then we moved over to a different part of the park, sat on E.'s blanket and proceeded to just lounge around a whole lot more. After a while I told E. I should probably go home, to which she replied "why?" Realizing I really didn't have an answer and that I had absolutely nothing pressing to do at home, I happily continued to hang out.
Though I started work 10 days after that, and therefore have not been able to wile away as many afternoons in dog parks as I would like, that late June day really set the tone for a July and August filled with lots of sunshine and lots of hanging out. This summer has also seen 2 picnics on M.'s front lawn (which, despite my initial reluctance given the fact that I'm not a big fan of sitting on the ground, even if on a blanket, were actually super fun!), some tanning/lounging on the chaise lounge in my backyard, 2 shows at the Molson Amphitheatre, and just generally enjoying being outdoors.
I always tend to make comparisons in my head about lots of things (my moods, my situations, my feelings about this or that, etc.) and so fittingly, I've found myself comparing summer, to its polar opposite, winter. During the past winter I stayed indoors, a lot, and wore warm sweat pants and big sweatshirts and often went to bed with my hot water bottle. And I actually really liked it. I love warm clothes, and the feeling of being completely covered and warm in those clothes. This summer, in contrast, has been very hot, and very humid. Other than my bed, my favourite place to go on the internet (and the place I do most of my work) is the dining room table. The air conditioning doesn't reach the dining room that well. Therefore, on really hot days in July I became desperately in need of something cool to wear. One would think I would just choose shorts and a tank top, but no, when I'm at home I'm all about lounge/sleep wear. So I found my old black nightgown, which is light, low-cut and short - leaving lots of my skin exposed, and therefore keeping me cool. After having not worn it for over a year, the black nightgown has become my defacto summer-at-home outfit. Sometimes I sit at my dining room table and instead of working, have fun imagining I'm a bored housewife in lingerie waiting for my husband to come home. Those fantasies are all well and good, but I know that I'd be so embarrassed if anyone - be it a neighbour, the mailman, or even a friend - happened to see me in it.
Sadly though, my days of wearing nightgowns are almost over. I've noticed, particularly over the last 10 days or so, how the sun really is setting earlier. From a window on the landing of the staircase going to the second floor I can see the sunset and it makes me a bit sad that we're almost in the homestretch of summer. Though there are a few things I'm looking forward to about colder weather coming again, I know I'll miss the summer, and particularly this summer, once it goes.
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