July

July is the armpit of the entire year. It is my least favorite month in the summer and my least favorite month throughout the year. I called my Mom the other night while walking home from dinner and complained for thirty minutes straight and when I ended the call, I thought to myself, Jesus your own Mother is going to get sick of you and all your bitching.

Here are some of my complaints:

1. My job.

2. My apartment.

3. Men. Always.

4. Friendships ending and shifting.

5. My laundry.

I think the casual bitching that I am on nowadays is a different flavor of what it was last summer and for that I am grateful. I will be the first to tell you that therapy does work! Who knew?

Anyway, July was too long, it always is. It was too hot. I’m tired of my summer clothing. I am tired of looking at my ugly window A/C units. I long for chilly mornings but the grass is always greener.

Here are some of my compliments* for the month:

*I suppose this is the opposite of a complaint

1. The beach! Did you know there are beaches in Chicago? I did! But I didn’t realize how good they actually are.

2. Writing classes, writing friends, going to readings (to observe), and getting published. (I got an essay published! You can read it here! )

3. Snail mail from friends that my dog unfortunately loves to eat. (Maybe it’s more special to only get to read something once?)

4. Men embarrassing themselves.

5. Peaches, nectarines, corn, tomatoes, green beans, sour cherries, blueberries, and plums. I could go on and on and on and on but late summer is kind of magic for cooking in the Midwest.

I think that’s all I have for the month.

I’m sorry I’ve neglected you so much Substack! I have been writing a lot! It is mostly stuff that is looking for a bigger home than this humble personal blog but hopefully, I will have more to share soon!

Happy August!

I hope you all get to swim in a big body of water, eat tomato and mayo sandwiches, hike in the mountains if you’re lucky, and get one last good sunburn before Fall sneaks up on us.