When the Ironweed Blooms

When the Ironweed blooms, I know summer is coming to an end. It gives me a pit in my stomach even though I think it’s lovely. Yes, it’s only the beginning of August. But many of my emails are met by “out of office on vacation” automatic responses from people who are trying to get the most out of summer before the frenzy of fall begins.

I’m not going anywhere; I’m staying home. But that’s because I’ve already done my trips, and home is where I need to recover and focus on finishing my book. This past weekend I went to the Hamptons for a Perfect Earth Project Fundraiser, where I had tons of fun and met lots of super interesting people. I normally would not go to the Hamptons, but I’m on the board, and Edwina Von Gal is a lovely host.

Today I ate a delicious salad with fresh-grown organic lettuce and mozzarella from Amber Waves — a community non-profit where all the cool New Yorkers shop (with tomatoes from my own garden). But the traffic on the way home was so bad, and I was so tired I had to stop at a 7-11 to get gas and…gasp! A Coke Slurpee. No one is perfect, especially not me. It’s fucking summer.

It’s fucking summer, and my knee is killing me. It’s either an injury from all the driving I’ve done this summer so far, a side effect from the statins I’m on from having a stroke, or some mystery ailment that is yet to be determined and I will have to see a doctor for. I’ve thought about returning to yoga. And running into Rodney Yee in Sag Harbor was a nudge in that direction. But first, I think I just need to rest. I’ve been going full steam for the past few months, and my body is not the better for it. I kind of want to put up an out-of-office email that just says “Leave me alone.” But I know that’s not realistic (and rude). Plus, I like getting good emails.

So now I am going to settle into the end of summer, to the sound of Tame Impala’s song, while I wait for Phoebe Bridgers’ new album on August 14th. And I’m going to try to find a comfortable position to finish writing my book without annoying my knee. Summer sun is off the list since I am getting a pre-cancerous spot taken off my face in two weeks. Do I sound like I’m complaining? I don’t mean to. I live a lucky life. I’ve already swum in my favorite ocean twice this summer. And the first giant zucchini was discovered hiding under the leaves. I don’t have to worry about back-to-school shopping or prepping anymore since…I no longer have any kids under 20!!!! (Lucia can handle her own return to school now).

It’s just that the ironweed reminds me that summer is almost over, and that makes me sad. I hope you all are finding joy and pleasure wherever and whatever you are doing. Let’s all rest up because who knows what the future will bring.

Thanks for letting me share some of my life with all of you.