Well, it's August. Back in Colorado, when I was little, that meant the end of summer, and the beginning of autumn. Summer is a bit more clingy here than back home, but even in Colorado, autumn isn't in a rush to arrive anymore. I can go on about the drastic changes I saw in the seasons between when I was a child, and when I left Colorado almost 5 years ago... but suffice it to say, none of us expect to start getting actually chilly any time soon.
School will be back in session later this month. I get to "lay the law down" on a new crop of college freshmen - many of whom have to learn how to be in public without parental supervision the hard way, it seems. Give some extra appreciation to all of the teachers you know, and the parents of school-age children. This is probably one of the hardest parts of the year, getting back into those routines, and learning to cope with the changes from the years prior.
I think even for those who don't have to worry about school schedules, it's still good to take a minute to think about this part of the year. That's been one big takeaway I have had from being part of CUUPs at Channing - learning about the Wheel of the Year, and learning to appreciate more than just the major holidays and season changes. CUUPs will be marking Lammas (also called Lughnasa, but don't ask me how to pronounce that one) on the 4th. It was traditionally a celebration of the first harvest of wheat, and celebrated by baking and sharing bread. It is the part of the year where those who grow food are enjoying the first fruits of their labor. In our past, and currently in many places in the northern hemisphere, this is the last opportunity to course correct if the plans for food through the winter aren't paying off as hoped.
I think it's a good time to reflect on how that can translate into our lives, as we currently live them. The last lull before we get into the rush of the 'holiday season,' and the last chance to have some outdoor fun before digging out the jackets and gloves. I think it is a good time to reflect on our lives, as individuals, and perhaps we all can use reminders that we still have time to learn from our mistakes, and to celebrate our accomplishments, even if they are, at least on the outside, as simple as baking a loaf of bread.
Rowan Anderson
Co-President
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