Well, it’s official. We’ve begun the process of closing the pool. Despite the forecast calling for warmer temperatures next week, likely summer’s last stand, the writing was on the wall. Morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s mean the water is cold and won’t be warming up that quick. I spent more time in the pool this summer but it’s all about making time. Problem was, I’ve been divided between swimming and other activities.
I know that there’s still officially two weeks left of summer. Autumn officially makes its arrival on September 22 at 8:43AM. When I look back on this Summer, was it a bust? I don’t think it was. It started out cool and then became hot and dry. I figured it would have gone that way after the wet April we had. I took my vacation (around my birthday). I attended TLI and went to the picnic at the farm. We had fun visiting with my cousins and we swam. Overall, not a bad summer, though there’s a few things I wish I would have done better.
The past few summers, I got depressed over my journey because I felt like I wasn’t getting approval. In 2022, I was away from those who supported me as I was at a new place of employment. Plus, I was dependent on approval and wanted to give up when I didn’t get it. This year felt the same when I let negative feelings overshadow the beginning of my vacation, as well as early in the Spring thus hindering my first in-person conference in five years. After a visit to Dollar Tree and a conversation with a cashier last month, I realized I’m not doing this journey for the attention. I’m doing it to make myself happy and to be an inspiration to people who want to be different.
The Pumpkin Spice and Fall treats tour continues next week as I try new drinks at other cafes in the Greensburg area and other places. I’m biased, but Greensburg has some of the best coffee shops and restaurants in the area. Dates are to be determined but I do plan on visiting Oakmont Bakery sometime this month. I’ll also check out a coffee shop/chocolatier up in the Allegheny Valley while I’m in the area. I’ll make it to Groove next week. Maybe I’ll do Latte Lane in October (sounds like a good drive on a morning off). Visiting these mobile coffee shops, I might have to find a trail to walk on to make my trip worthwhile.
I had to rest on Labor Day since I had to work that evening. My aunt had a picnic at her house and it would have been a great opportunity to show off my Eat’n Park book to some of my family members. My cousin works for Eat’n Park in marketing and showing them the book would have meant a lot to them. My first job was at Park Classic Diner, where I worked for two summers while on break at Slippery Rock University. I wish I wasn’t so eager to get back to school and just enjoy my work. That’s my only regret. Maybe I would have stayed in the restaurant/hospitality business after college. But then again, I might not have met the people I did or started the things that made me who I am today.
Finally, as I have finished the Harry Potter books, I’m reading about the history of an iconic brand that calls Pittsburgh home. Also, I’m rereading a book about our possible future President, and just hoping that the third time is the charm reading about our former President. Do I still plan on sticking with the fantasy genre as I did when I started Harry Potter? That’s still a possibility but it won’t be until after Christmas until that happens. My mind changes all the time, so we’ll see.
Regardless, a developing situation.
Stylish 🍒 