Surrounded, as we are, by buildings owned by three different schools, our neighborhood feels something like a large, quiet park all summer long. We ride our bikes through empty parking lots and wander across grassy fields. But then, 9:00 a.m., on an August Tuesday rolls around, and suddenly there is a stream of cars rolling down the street. Cars doors open and slam shut, wheeled carts go rolling by, directions are given by cheerful college girls in purple shirts. Box fans, clear plastic bins, cases of bottled water are carried down the street. There are some tears, some laughter. By 6:00 p.m., there are 800 college freshman living across the street. Noisy cars, the campus bus, car doors, foot traffic, the smell of cigarette smoke. And then there's the first weekend where 800 19 year-olds have to find something fun to do on a Friday night. I'll let you imagine what that sounds like at 1:00 a.m.
Of course, fall brings it own adjustments anytime. Oli starts first grade. NT goes back to work. There are church groups and early childhood activities for Jacob and Henry. I should make out a house cleaning schedule. I should make a list of all the meals I like to cook and put them on a calendar so I don't have to look through cookbooks late in the afternoon. I should make an exercise schedule. And sign all the school forms. But I'm not feeling very ready for all this quite yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment