Sadly, it was back to tropical temps again this morning, and, even though I left fairly early, that sticky humidity made me feel like a wet rag, even before I’d walked a half mile.

The storm last night left its mark on the lawns, and they were still soaking wet, and very lush and green from all the rainfall we’ve received lately. That was good news for me as I didn’t need to dash out into the street to avoid getting soaked every time I encountered a homeowner’s wayward sprinkler.

Out in the street, the songbirds were gleeful in their makeshift birdbaths (a/k/a mud puddles), and, the robins were busy yanking huge worms out of the soggy turf. The air smelled of moist and fragrant pine needles and a few towering spruce trees as well.  There were dew drops hanging perilously from awnings and tree branches, and the slight movement as I passed underneath those branches, caused a wet kerplunk each time a big raindrop splashed onto the top of my head.

On my return trip, I took a different route since I saw cement trucks and a bevy of workers unloading their equipment and already monopolizing the entire street. I passed this sign you see above, and my first thought was “yup – not too much longer now for the kids to enjoy their freedom” … for the public schools anyway.  This week I’ve already seen a few yellow school busses rolling along for the local Catholic schools.  I highly doubt that the public school kids are envious of their Catholic school counter-parts and therefore chomping at the bit for the upcoming school year.  Perhaps they are motivated for the return to school by their new gear and clothing, but,  I’m guessing a snazzy metal lunch box with a cartoon character on it wouldn’t do the trick nowadays .

The clock is ticking away as Summer vacation will soon yield to school daze. By my count, young students have about a fortnight more of days unfettered by alarm clocks, classroom rules and regs, and, most of all – that dreaded homework.