savannah storytelling

Oh those lazy, hazy days of summer! Hot steamy days and warm sultry nights. Yes, sometimes it is very hot, but after the winter we had, we promised we wouldn’t complain about the heat. Remember that?

There is fun at the beach, the pool or picnics in the park. We can sit on the patio under a large umbrella with a cold drink of choice and enjoy the summer flowers. My gardenia bush is in full bloom and the aroma is wonderful. We wear light, comfortable clothes and kick off our sandals every chance we get. Ah, it doesn’t get better than this.

When I get this lazy and contended, my quirky personality wants to do something foolish. The other morning, as I was taking my usual walk at the mall, I had the urge to ride the carousel. The writer in me held back until the day I had my camera and a friend to take a picture. If I were going to do something silly, I wanted a record of it.

It was an exhilarating ride. I loved it. A few people stopped and stared at the crazy “mature” woman astride a painted horse, smiling and waving like an idiot. But it was fun and I’m glad I did it.

Have you ever wanted to do something foolish? If so, do it. Summer is the time to kick up your heels and have a laugh at yourself. Have you ever wanted to run barefoot through the surf at the beach? Do it. I did that a few years back. I hiked up my skirt, held hands with a friend and ran through the edge of the surf at the beach. We earned lifted eyebrows and smirks from several good-looking tanned teenagers, but what did they know? We had fifty years of experiences on them.

You want to learn to play the guitar? Why not? What about taking up bird calling? Or learn yoga or tae chi? Ever wanted to ride on a balloon? Just be careful not to do anything to hurt yourself. No sky diving or skateboarding for seniors. You wouldn’t want to break something. How about something simple but fun like taking a piece of chalk and teaching the grandchildren how to play hopscotch on the cement drive way?

I asked some friends if there was something foolish they wanted to do, but haven’t had the opportunity or the courage to try. I received some interesting comments. Here are a few: 1. Wanted to use blue fingernail polish but thought it was too young a look. 2. Thought about getting a tattoo but was too timid. 3. Wear a bikini at the beach but don’t have the nerve. 4. Fly to New Orleans to buy a real beignet and come right back. 5. Jump out of a plane with a parachute. All these comments were from women. Although I asked several men, they wouldn’t admit to something foolish they wanted to do. Loosen up, guys. You know there’s something foolish you want to do.

Have some fun. Summer of 2010 will never come again. Remember what Winnie the Pooh said: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

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Last month, I welcomed negative comments and I got one very close to home. My 21 year old grandson, who will be a senior at the Journalism School at UGA next school year, disagreed about the sitcoms of today not being funny. He agreed that late night TV shows use sexual and dark humor, but thinks I haven’t watched the right sitcoms on prime time TV. He recommended “The Office” and “30 Rock”. I watched them both. “30 Rock” with Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin was okay. I could enjoy that one once I got to know the characters. ”The Office” immediately turned me off because of the jerky camera work. And, there is something about John Carrel that I don’t like. I think he has a sneaky look.

Obviously, response to comedy is generational. Thanks for your input, Zack. I think you will be an exceptional journalist.

The original article can be found at Coastal Senior HERE.