The dog days of summer are upon us. This weekend brings with it the unofficial halfway point of summer. When we think of the lazy, hazy days of summer we normally think of August, but this past week’s heat wave has had us running from air conditioned office to car to home. And back again. Thankfully next week looks like we will have some relief from the staggering heat after this weekend’s storms pass.
August is the time of year when many from New Canaan are elsewhere. Already our Facebook feeds are showing photos from faraway places such as Aspen, Scotland, Acadia and, of course, Nantucket. New Canaan seems to empty out during the month. There is less traffic around town, and you can actually find a parking space on Elm Street without having to circle the block. We love this month. For those of us who remain in town it feels as though there is a little more breathing room. The pace is less hectic. We are able to get done some of those projects we have been putting off.
It is also the perfect month to just slow down a bit. American author Sam Keen wrote: “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Take time for a walk at the beach or read a book. Even our pets seem to relax and enjoy lying under a tree. If you are in our neighborhood at dusk and hear insistent barking, chances are good it is our goofy black lab barking at fireflies while his sister watches with amusement as he chases them around the yard. We have noticed a larger firefly population this summer which must be a good thing. A word of caution about our fury friends, if it is too hot outside for you, it is too hot outside for them. Make sure they have enough water and never, ever leave them in a car with the windows rolled up.
The Sentinel has had a busy summer so far. We have been experiencing so many wonderful things to do in town. The farmer’s market, the Glass House, sidewalk sales last week were awesome! And we are busy looking at how we can improve our news coverage and delivery. Something we do every year. Now, several of our interns have completed their time with us and are off with their parents for far away adventures. Even our offices seem a little quieter.
We are going to take some of our own advice. The middle three weeks of August we will not be publishing a printed copy of the Sentinel. Our reporters will still be hard at work covering news and happenings around town and those stories and photographs will be put up on social media and on our website (and our app!). We are going to use this time to focus on several new initiatives which we will announce in September. We will be back in full production with our print edition on August 30th, with lots of information on Labor Day weekend and early fall activities.
As you enjoy the second half of summer, we encourage you to send us photos of your summer adventures. The photos can be of your adventures around town, from an island get away, summer hike, or your favorite tree. Let us see how your summer is through your eyes.
Englishman John Lubbock once said “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
So, welcome to the dog days of summer! We plan on being very respectful for the month of August.
