Retirement Sparks: Summer Swan Song

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Prime Time August, 2025 Retirement Sparks

Summer Swan Song

As we roll around the corner into
and out of August, it signals that the summer’s swan song is here. If we didn’t know this
from the calendar, we’d know it from the vacation plans of our families and
neighbors. We’d also know it from the
end of summer sales, especially on beachwear and sunglasses. Be sure to pick up
more than one pair of sunglasses. You most certainly will either lose a pair or
sit on them and they’ll break in two. If you’re particularly clumsy or
forgetful, get three or more pairs once the sales begin.

Summer footwear on sale is another
sign of a summer swan song. Sandals are generally quite forgiving when it comes
to finding the right size. Many sandals have several straps that allow them to
be adjusted in more than one direction. Grab a spare pair so that you’ll be
ready for next year’s sandal season. Your feet aren’t likely to change size in
12 months. Thongs are generally quite forgiving when it comes to fit, too.
Let’s not forget the cheapest and easiest to find summer footwear of all: flip
flops. Their best feature, of course, is that if they come off in the water,
they’ll float to the surface eventually.

Those who’ve rented beach cottages
for the entire summer will feel like they haven’t gotten their money’s worth.
Up to now, as each weekend approached, they gave serious consideration to
attending a concert in the city because they had a lot of beach time still
ahead of them. When summer starts its swan song, they’re more likely to opt for
one last weekend at the beach house.

Single men and women of dating age
will spend time trying to find someone in their social circle who has a
sailboat with room for one more person willing to crew for an afternoon on the
ocean. Absent that, these folks will be looking to hitch a ride on a speedboat
(sometimes called a cigarette boat). Anything that will give them one last
weekend out on the bounding main (aka the open ocean). “I feel the need, the
need for speed!” is a familiar phrase that describes this urge especially at
the end of summer.

I mentioned concerts in the city.
We don’t have much control over the summer’s schedule. We should attend
whatever concerts we can find that will be located conveniently to our homes.
The summer concert season is a short one; take advantage of it while you’re
still young enough to appreciate it. You’d be surprised how quickly your knees
get too creaky for you to safely climb bleachers. Be sure to pack an insulated
tote with drinks (non-alcoholic) and some snacks that won’t make you thirsty.
Fruit is the best option. This type of tote is great to take on sailing and
speedboat trips, too.

Those who have no interest in boats
of any type will generally look at summer’s swan song as a time to catch up on
intellectual pursuits. Many of them will have a stack of books that they
planned to read. They’ll be in a pile on their porch, next to an inviting,
comfortable chair, maybe even a rocker. An alternative could be the movie
section of the local newspaper. The films that had piqued curiosity at the
beginning of summer will either be highlighted in yellow or circled in red pen.
A calendar should be kept nearby in order to plan what day to see which film,
but just skip the reviews.

One summer swan song activity that
anyone can participate in is dining out. I don’t mean simply leaving your house
to go eat dinner. I mean finding restaurants that have outdoor seating. I’ve
uncovered several in my own neighborhood or nearby that are very enjoyable for
lunch or dinner, weather permitting. Once you’ve discovered one of these, it’s
a good idea to grab a menu to take home. That way when you go out the next
time, you can decide in advance what some of your food options might be.

The swan song is the perfect time
to catch up on all the summer activities you’ve been planning but haven’t quite
gotten around to. No excuses; just do them. They’ll provide great memories all
winter long. And you can wear your flip flops in your shower.

Elaine M. Decker’s books include Retirement
Downsizing—A Humorous Guide, Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again,
Retirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays appear in the
anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and 70 Things To Do When You Turn
70. All are available on Amazon.com. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com

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