Summer officially arrived in Calgary this weekend. Winter released its death grip on our city, and I am officially sporting my first painful shoulder and back sunburn. (Of the ‘wearing-only-strapless-and-sleeping-on-my-stomach-cause-it-hurts-like-a-bi#%h’ variety.)
In any event, complaints cannot be made, as time on many a patios are in my future, as well as the mandatory accompanying assortment of tart n’ fruity slushy drinks.
Keeping in mind that today is June 1st, and summers are fleeting in this city, I have made a list of some of the things I would like to do in the coming months to keep my summer from turning into a sigh-filled lament come the early bouts of September’s chill.
Endeavour 1? Walk more. While the structure of this city often makes that difficult, I am going try and lessen my ecological footprint, and get my feet hitting the pavement.
Which naturally brings me to exclaim ‘more regular pedicures’! I make this self-indulgent vow every summer (as crusty-heeled, polish-peeling, callous-sporting feet have no business in flip-flops!), and then never make the time. This time, every 3-4 weeks will be summer’s mandate.
Visit the Calgary Zoo and Calaway Park. Last year was the first time I visited the
Zoo in years, and I am not ashamed to admit I enjoyed the animal-gawking. The smells bring back a little slice of childhood nostalgia, and the zebras, giraffes, elephants and gorillas a sense of ‘wow’. As for
Calaway Park, it’s as close as we’re going to get to any kind of theme park (think the movie
Adventureland). And since I now have a 2-year-old excuse to return (I haven’t visited since my stint as a nanny some years back), this time I will try and actually make it on the only roller coaster in town.
Make it down to Prince’s Island Park more often. With the expanse of green space perfect for picnics, sunbathing and general summer merriment, as well as great walking/bike paths and proximity to shopping districts like Eau Claire, many birds can be killed with this stone.
Shop more at farmer’s markets and support local growers and farmers. I always start out with good intentions and a couple trips, but then make a bee-line to the grocery store for overpriced and imported fruits and veggies. Why? Convenience...Habit maybe? This year, Alberta’s bounty will stock both my fridge and pantry.
Plan some road trips. While my husband is off to Europe in July, I will be manning the homestead on my own. To head boredom off at the door, I am going to plan atleast 1 or 2 road trips throughout Alberta, and discover something new in my own backyard. Yes, it might not be the Netherlands or Austria, but...but...it’s better than staying at home watching re-runs on Cosmo TV, right?
And finally, I will of course apply sunscreen vigorously and without fail every time I see a glimmer of sun. I will remember the pain that I’m in right now whenever the devil on my shoulder whispers ‘but you’ll only be outside for a minute’.
On that note, happy summer to all, and may your hot-weathered (mis)adventures be ones for the books.