We鈥檝e all heard of the mid-life crisis 鈥� that sense of panic that sets in when people are of a certain age, usually around 40, and begin to realize there is so much they want to accomplish, but haven鈥檛 been able to do so.
It鈥檚 not something I know about from personal experience. I鈥檓 still enjoying my Dirty 30s, although it won鈥檛 be too long before I reach the big 4-0, and say to myself, 鈥淚 want my 30s back.鈥�
But I do know a thing or two about the mid-August crisis. It鈥檚 that magical time of year when Aug. 15 approaches, and I say to myself 鈥淚 want my summer back.鈥�
Yes, summer is about two-thirds complete. We鈥檙e now starting to hear about back-to-school specials and promotions in stores. The ice is being installed at Affinity Place. The summer sports seasons are finished or are winding down.
And I鈥檓 left wondering what happened to my summer.
The summer of 2017 started with a bang. Canada鈥檚 150th celebrations were a great way to usher in the summer. Estevan opened things up on June 30 with their effort, and then Bienfait and other communities had their turn on July 1.
Some communities are weaving Canada鈥檚 150th birthday into the celebrations they have had since July 1.
For many of us, Canada鈥檚 150th birthday was going to be the best part of the summer. But that doesn鈥檛 mean the rest of the summer was going to be something to forget.
After all, with events like Beach Bash, the Bow Valley Jamboree and the Midale Pioneer Echoes, and annual summer attractions like the Estevan Motor Speedway and the Souris Valley Theatre, there was going to be lots to do in July and August.
Yet here I sit on Aug. 11, and there鈥檚 still so much I want to do this summer. So much to do. So little time.
It鈥檚 not that it hasn鈥檛 been eventful. I鈥檝e enjoyed covering the various summer events in the community. There was a trip to Regina for a Rider game, and by the time you read this column, I鈥檒l be in the midst of my annual trip to southwest Saskatchewan. Maybe I鈥檒l be sitting on the patio of a quiet coffee shop in Maple Creek, or having a nice craft beer with family members.
Still, though, it feels like I haven鈥檛 accomplished anything. Not enough time spent reading on patios, socializing with friends or swinging golf clubs. Not enough time on the beach, on the water or on the road.
I know there are some parents out there who can鈥檛 wait for summer to end. They look forward to the kids returning to school, and the return of the normality associated with life from September to June, when the kids are at school, and the weekends are dedicated to travel to get to hockey games and other tournaments.聽
I don鈥檛 share their desire to see summer end. Maybe it鈥檚 because I don鈥檛 have kids. Or maybe it鈥檚 because I would much rather be enjoying the long days of summer, the outdoor activities offered in this region, the meals out on the patio, and the other opportunities summer affords.
It鈥檚 hard to have drinks on a patio in November.
And by the time the bone-chilling temperatures of January settle in, I鈥檒l be longing for the daily heat we experienced in July.
That鈥檚 not to say there aren鈥檛 reasons to look forward to the fall. The start of hockey season is exciting. The events that occur in fall, such as the United Way Estevan鈥檚 annual telethon, are terrific. And there鈥檚 something special about the excitement on children鈥檚 faces as they return to school, and look forward to meeting their teachers and experiencing new opportunities.
(Unfortunately, that excitement has usually evaporated by the end of September).
If you鈥檙e a winter sports and recreation enthusiast, you鈥檙e looking forward to the first dump of snow, so that snowmobiling season can begin.
But once September hits, for me there is that feeling of dread associated with shorter days, colder temperatures, the eventual appearance of large snow drifts on the ground and the end of barbecuing season for a few months.
So here we are. The middle of August. The mid-August crisis has arrived.
Three more weeks of summer vacation remain.
They will go by fast.聽
