Musician's Widow

Oh Wilson County Fair, how I look forward to you every year. We missed you last year, and for that I am sorry. But we came out last night, as you treated us so very good.

The Wilson County Fair, in Lebanon, TN, is one of the best fairs I’ve ever been to in my life. They just have it figured out! Great selection of food. Tons of rides. A free concert. A petting zoo. And pig races. In the past they’ve had a banana derby (Monkeys riding dogs!!) but they were sadly absent this year.

My husband and I attended this year with a big group of friends, which just seemed to up the fun factor. Nothing like sharing a ferris wheel pod with another couple that you know, or sharing your various deep fried goodies. (And let it be known, everything tastes better “on a stick.”)

I literally turn into a 10 year old the days leading up to attending the fair. I actually had an upset tummy out of sheer excitement yesterday morning! Then I joked I’d end up with a sick stomach from eating things like chocolate covered bacon, deep friend strawberry short cake and deep fried cookie dough. I think I drank my weight in fresh shaken lemonade and sweet tea mix!

John Anderson was the headliner for the night at the free concert. I’d never seen him live, and it wasn’t high on my list of things to do at the fair. (So many rides, so much food, so little time!) But I am glad my husband insisted… he was GREAT! And I have to admit, when he sang “Swingin’” I got super excited and gave my parents a concert call.

Ah… so good to see these pure country artists getting a lot of love from a big crowd. Makes my country-lovin’-music-business-livin’ heart proud.

We ended the night with a little more fair food, and lots of big hugs with friends. We had an amazing time, and we’re trying to figure out if we can fit another trip out there before it ends this year. I hope we can, but if not? My heart is full of joy from the night. And I can almost (almost) feel Fall starting to make its way to us.

As a kid, summer meant school was out, and thus it was always my favorite season back then. Today, though, I appreciate it for vastly different reasons.

I've got my flip flops on... Fall is without hesitation, my favorite season. But summer takes a close second.

First off, summer is a blessing and a curse being married to a musician. It’s a time when my husband is gone the most on the road, as summer equates to “the touring season.” So its a beautiful time of year that I’m left trying to find ways to entertain myself alone a good chunk of the time. However, its also the feast part of feast-or-famine, if you know what  I mean.

That being said, though, there is a magic to summer — whether you are alone or with your significant other — that will take you over if you let it.

I think that what summer pretty much equates to for me is a chance to relax. Even as I may be super busy with any number of things, summer just seems to bring this want and need to let it all go. Relax. The beauty of it is that even the most simple acts can equate to relaxation.

I was never “a boat person” until a couple of years ago. Which is when I discovered there is a lot of fun to be had sitting on a boat, just floating on a lake with friends. It gets you away from the computer, the traffic, and some of your responsibilities for a few hours. Its a chance to reset for awhile.

My husband and I don’t have a boat, so we’re at the mercy of our friends as to when we get to go out on the lake. However, it doesn’t stop us from packing up a picnic lunch and sitting out by lake for awhile. It’s not the same, but its close enough for me!

We enjoy taking drives through the country. Recently, I’ve noticed a major increase in the number of fireflies. At the drive-in theater that we went to last week, fireflies twinkled all through the air around us as we watched a movie and munched on popcorn. There’s something about fireflies that, even as an adult, makes me believe in magic. (Adds an element of romance as well!)

Summer sunsets are the best

The humidity recently has made the air thick and uncomfortable, chasing me indoors to my air conditioning. But then nights like tonight will come, when a gentle breeze feels almost cool in the summer heat. Crickets chirp a song of summer, one that lulls me to a deep relaxation.  I could sit for hours doing nothing but listening to nature, feeling the breeze, and smelling whatever scents come my way. Flowers in the garden or fresh cut grass. Perhaps someone just made barbecue.

Its all about letting that summer magic once again do its thing.

Growing up in Texas, summer always meant long strings of 100+ temperatures. Misery had a whole new definition on days like that. Yet as night fell, the warmth stayed but the sting of the sun’s rays disappeared. You’d be beckoned outside.

July 4th weekend called for watermelons on the back deck. Or we’d randomly go visit my grandparents who would sometimes be sitting outside in lawn chairs. We’d join them, and I’d enjoy it. But as a child I didn’t understand what I understand now. The summer heat’s misery, in those times, would give way to a little slice of heaven and peacefulness.

We’ve entered July, and we’re quickly marching towards summer’s peak. I’ve been guilty of letting work and technology steal some of summer’s magic away from me. I aim to correct that as much as possible. Enjoy summer. Let it bring its relaxing nature to me. I don’t want to look back this fall (as I did last fall) and ask myself where summer went. I don’t want to miss this.

Whether its “officially” Summer or not, I think its safe to say that we all have that Summer-time urge to let our hair down. I know I do! Sunshine, beaches, water, flip flops. They all are calling my name!

However, I have two things going against me. One, its summer touring season, and for the next few months I’m going to be on my own more than I’ll be with my husband. Two, I’m broke and a trip to the beach just isn’t going to happen. So, I’m on a mission to find fun things to do that are cheap, and that — bonus points — I can do on my own.

My first stop is the library.

Call me crazy, but I’ve always liked the library. I had a craving for books all the way back to pre-school days. (That could be why I love to write today!) I remember being addicted to Boxcar Children, then to Sweet Valley Twins and Baby Sitters Club. RL Stine books, Sweet Valley High, and later Sweet Valley University. Books, books, books! I wanted one with me all the time!

My book tastes have advanced since those days, and I don’t devour them as fast. I still like to have one with me at all times, but I appreciate them much more than I did back then.

I got a library card for a local library last September. I was GIDDY to be handed a card, because it had been far too long since I had one. I promptly checked out a stack of books. I just as promptly earned myself late fees, even though you can renew books online with a click of a mouse button.  What-cha gonna do?

The other day, on a whim, I decided a trip to the library was in order. I drove over, and I was SO happy to see the parking lot almost full. I smiled extra big to see Moms taking big groups of kids in to attend a summer reading time.

It was nice and cool inside, which immediately made me feel like this would be a wonderful place to spend some upcoming hot summer afternoons. I quickly got lost among the books, mostly plotting out a summer reading list for myself. I even found a few books that I didn’t know existed; books I know I will be devouring in weeks to come.

Libraries are so underrated, and as the world becomes more and more digital, printed media is quickly losing its place in the world. Call me crazy, but I love to smell and feel of a BOOK. Being surrounded by hundreds of them in a library is, for me, like being enveloped in a wonderful literary hug. I plan to hug back. I left that afternoon with two books in my arms and a plan on where to go some summer afternoons when I want to get out of the house.