Ann M. Martin

Summer’s End

September 2003

Hi, readers! Every September, I find that I'm a little sad about saying goodbye to summer. I know that I should be excited about the seasons changing, since I'm a big fan of the fall and an even bigger fan of winter. But summer is special, and even though I haven't been a student on summer break for many years, I want to spend July and August much the same way I did when I was a teenager. For example, I'm perfectly happy to work part of the time, but not all the time! I love curling up with a good book and never checking the clock. I enjoy having full days set aside so I can really tackle my sewing projects. I want an incredible garden. And finally, it wouldn't be summer without a fun trip or two to see family and friends. So how did I do this year? Well, if you saw my absolutely pathetic vegetable garden (total yield - wilted lettuce, two green peppers and exactly one zucchini), you'd know that the "gardening" goal did not happen! But I'm happy to say that everything else on my summer wish list came true.

Before I could get to the fun stuff, however, there was work to be done and a big deadline to meet. Halfway through the summer, I put the finishing touches on the first draft of my new book and handed it in to my editor. Phew! I'd been working hard on this manuscript for many months. Now I was ready hit the road. My first destination was a long-planned trip to Texas to see my college buddy, Claudia. (BSC fans know that I like that name!) Claudia's daughter, Rachel, was celebrating her bat mitzvah, and as her honorary aunt, I was invited to share in the ceremony. Rachel did a fabulous job and I was thrilled to be able to be there with her.

The rest of the summer was relaxing and fun, highlighted by a one-week trip with some friends to Martha's Vineyard (a little island off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts). Every day was bright and sunny and it was a perfect time to be there. We rented bikes and rode around the island, went on some mini-hikes in the state parks, and visited a local animal sanctuary. (I have some great pictures from my trip, including one of the ocean at sunset, so be sure to click on the "photos" link to see them.) It rained for four straight days as soon as I got back, which gave me the perfect excuse to hang out at home with a few good books and my knitting.

Now it's back to school for my readers, and back to work for me. And as I look at the zillions of things I've put on my calendar for the next few months, I'm glad that I'm well-rested and well-read. It's time to bring on the fall!

Wishing you a wonderful school year,
Ann