Greetings, dear reader! It is hard to believe that today is officially the last day of summer in the United States. I had a sensational summer and accomplished much of what I included on my Summer 2022 Fun List and from the Summer Bucket List hosted by It’s A Charming Life.
I knew this summer would be a little different than most summers because I was not returning to my job at HGCS in August. Therefore, I packed my summer with a variety of activities that included travel, reading, movies, improv, theatre, getting together with friends, and home improvements.
So, here were the activities on my list, and how I did:
Engagement Party for my niece Kaitlyn and her fiancé MarcThe Audubon Croppers (TAC) Scrapbooking Event with my scrapbooking gal palsTrip to New York City with AndrewSaenger Theatre in New Orleans to see HamiltonYear of King Project with Kelsi (“The Mist” and “1408,” IT, and Cujo)Slasher Movie Marathon with Kelsi- Gardening (front of the house)
- Sprucing up the Front Porch
- Home Office Makeover
Work on my YouTube Channel (hoping to launch after Labor Day)- Audition for The Jungle Book at the Columbia Theatre
We enjoyed a delightful day at my niece’s engagement party. Kaitlyn and Marc’s wedding is at the beginning of March 2023. I attended my annual scrapbooking event with my friends; however, I did not get much done due to forgetting supplies/tools and not being prepared enough. It was still fun to get away and spend time with Shelly, Heather, and Donna. My trip to New York City with Andrew was FANTASTIC! We had a terrific time, and I cannot wait to go back. I really must write some future posts about our adventures. I finally saw Hamilton! I went to New Orleans with Shelly, Kerry, and Andrew, and we saw it at the Saenger Theatre. It was incredible!
Kelsi and I continued our Year of King project throughout the summer. We both participated in a Slasher Movie Marathon, but our schedules could not align to record a wrap-up. I enjoyed most of the movies I put on my list; however, Maniac (1980) and Graduation Day (1981) were a little over the top and not my favorites.
Needless to say, I did not do any gardening this summer, unless you count watering my plants. I want to pull out some overgrown plants in front of my house and redo my garden. I do not know what I was thinking, but July is definitely not the best time to tackle that project. As for sprucing up my front porch, I did not complete that task. I want to pressure wash the siding and paint the shutters. October will be a more favorable month to complete those two projects. The heat had nothing to do with not making over my home office. I decided to tackle other areas of my house first. I will eventually get there.
I have been taking small steps regarding my YouTube channel. I REALLY want to launch my channel with an intro video before October; however, I have a bunch of reading deadlines I need to complete first. I am trying not to stress about it. It will happen. I just need to be patient. As for auditioning for The Jungle Book at the Columbia Theatre, I tabled the idea. I have a bunch going on in my life that I did not feel I could add another thing to my plate. I did get to participate in two readings of the play during the summer. I took an Improv Workshop with Rich Talarico in July. I am currently taking an 8-week Improv Class through Anubis in Metairie. And, I just finished acting in a mystery dinner theatre at the Columbia Theatre. So, I have been doing quite a bit in the acting arena.
All in all, I think I did a pretty good job. I completed almost everything on my Summer Fun List plus enjoyed time with family and friends sprinkled throughout the summer.
Additionally, I did some of the activities from the Summer Bucket List which also enriched my summer.
Out of the 10 activities on the Summer Bucket List, I wholeheartedly participated in 6 of them. I am a nature lover, so Nurture in Nature was easy along with Whimsical Wildlife, Floral Frolicking, and Soak up the Sun. Reading is my favorite activity, so I got plenty of Delightful Daydreaming done every day. Ice cream on several occasions, in moderation, fulfilled Cold Confections.
If I would have planned a bit better, I know I could have done all 10 activities on the list. However, it really is not so much about quantity, but more about quality. The activities I participated in brought me lots of JOY.
I’ve included a few photos below that highlight those summer bucket list activities. Taking photographs this summer has been pleasurable. Dear reader, you are welcome to check out more photos I took over the summer on my Instagram (katherineloyacano).
The sun is setting on this year’s summer. While it is hard to say good-bye, this summer had a slow, languorous feel to it. I am fortunate I did not have to go back to school the first week of August. I am grateful my hubby took vacation the week of Labor Day, and we spent it together. I am overjoyed about everything I have experienced this summer season. Happiness!
“When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and, like a dream, glides away.” ~ Sarah Helen Whitman
Note: Photo at the top is by Jonathan Petersson on Pexels.com.
I did try my hand at some cooking this summer. I made chicken quesadillas, baked chicken bacon ranch taquitos, cranberry pecan chicken salad, crispy air fryer chicken tenders, and meatloaf with brown gravy. Yes, I know…lots of chicken. The recipes that I tried are basic (not many ingredients) because I don’t really enjoy cooking. Also, whatever I cook needs to also appeal to Andrew’s taste buds. Thankfully, he is not as picky as he used to be as a youngling. Out of everything I tried, he did not like the chicken salad which Barry and I absolutely loved. Since the summer is over, I have no desire to try any new recipes for the remainder of the year. 
Good morning! Today is a most terrific day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the air conditioner is running, and I got Sesame Street stamps from the post office yesterday. Happiness boost! It is also the birthday of one of my dearest friends on the planet…the fabulous Michelle. How fitting that I bought Sesame Street stamps the day before the celebration of her birth! Sesame Street is one of the many popular shows that airs on PBS.
I am definitely headed toward one of the busiest weeks of the summer. The week will consist of health/wellness appointments, work meetings, voice/acting classes, a concert, and my annual scrapbook convention with my girlfriends. What is a girl to do? Celebrate with gratitude! I am so very thankful to have the opportunities to take care of myself, stretch myself (classes), and rejuvenate myself. I am so very thankful for moments to be creative and explore my potential.
We enjoyed Korean food for her birthday lunch followed by rolled ice cream from Roulé for dessert. Other highlights of July were going to the movies (The Incredibles 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp, The Equalizer 2), a museum visit, a concert, a scrapbooking evening with my BFF Shelly, and a lunch date with my friend Kelly Parker LeGrand. This was the first time Kelly and I had seen each other in over 20 years. We talked for hours. My only regret was that we didn’t take any pictures together. Hopefully, it won’t be another 20 years before we have lunch together again.
While I enjoyed much happiness this month, there was also some sadness. My extended family in Utah said good-bye to my sweet Uncle Charles. I feel blessed to have known him and grateful for plenty of fond memories of times spent with him. I can bet he is well established in heaven telling stories and jokes. Rest in peace, Uncle Charles!
The Kat Files 