I’ve reached an age when, again, I lament the passing of summer. After college, it was liberating to know that I was no longer constrained (as much) by the seasons, and life was not strictly marked by their passing. These days, however, I wonder where the time goes. Looking out the office window, I noticed the South Side pool had been drained–already!–and with only a week left in August, some kids are preparing for school again. (Interestingly, the same patterns don’t exist in our home, as the kids started school yesterday, and worked well into the start of summer, thanks to our extended road trip.) Ironically, I don’t like summer much. I’m not one for the heat and humidity. The benefit to this is that my lament quickly becomes celebration, as the Fall brings cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and better climbing.

Oh, yes, climbing. I am drifting a bit these days. I had plans, big plans, for what I’d accomplish this year, but training has been sporadic with random bits of traveling and family visits. I have found, however, that I am enjoying climbing a bit more, even though I’m not always pushing myself physically. This is a good thing, and will perhaps, with a bit of actual training, prepare me well for harder climbs once the proper weather arrives. While I muddle along, however, Sebastien has found his way. Over the past eight months, something has clicked in his head, and he enjoys climbing, and enjoys pushing himself a bit. This past weekend, he grew as a climber, doing several long pitches (upwards of 50 feet), including a 5.7 (he also cleaned his first bit of protection, managing to get a recalcitrant stopper out of a crack). The boy is growing, and it’s a sight to see.

Posted on 23 August 2011