Summertime and the living is easy, even if I’m not on a beach.
Wanna know how I spend most of my summer break days? No? Too bad, here it comes.
4:30- a.m. I’ve always been an early riser and I’ll be up and tuned in to get news from “Way Too Early” with Ali Vitali on MS NOW. My favorite part is when Ali shares feedback pics from viewers who explain why they are up so early. Most often, it’s because their dogs or cats wake them and want breakfast.
From there I’ll flip between Sportscenter on ESPN to catch last night’s game highlights, also the Channel 9 Morning News and a little CNN.
While snacking on a honey-crisp apple I drive to East End Pool for lap swimming. I’ve been getting in a little over a mile in swim strokes, plus some dog paddling and water walking.
Back home I’ll click into my DVR and review the rest of the Channel Nine Morning News. At this same time, I’ll check out my emails, TMZ and Daily Mail websites and post something new on my Facebook page.
10:00 a.m. I’ll have breakfast. It’s either oatmeal with blueberries and a small bowl of grapes or 2 scrambled eggs with a piece of toast and the grapes. While eating, I’ll tune into some CNN or a rerun of “Friends.”
Next up, I’ll to prep for the mid-day swim by putting on my sun screen (Banana Boat Sport SPF 30) and get back into my swimsuit again.
The mid-day swim/water walking takes place at East End with my summer family. Our little pack of friends ranges between 5 and 15 fellow walkers. I’m the only guy in our group but other men are welcome to join. Topics discussed include movies & TV shows to check out, places to eat, sports, family goings on and the latest things the women have bought at what we know as “The Bin Store.”
East End Pool is my summer home away from home.
After pool time, I have a late lunch, usually some cooked salmon or lean burger with vegetables and a serving of watermelon. I also favor the chopped salad from Portillo’s. I’m off all soda pops so it’s either milk, ice water or a Gatorade Zero to drink. While eating, I’ll watch reruns of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “Mary Tyler Moore” which were DVR’d.
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. More T.V. time as I watch “Inside Edition” then “Jeopardy” followed by Channel 5’s afternoon news and NBC Nightly News.
6:00 p.m. Dinner is a mixed bag. Sometimes a frozen meal, chicken or salmon and vegetables with dessert being more fruit and a handful or two of almonds.
7:00 p.m. Play ball! Time to watch the Cubs or Sox or both teams depending on their schedules. Sometimes I go full sports nerd and keep scorecards for the game I’m watching.
10:00 p.m. More news to watch, a little web surfing and when the mood strikes me, some karaoke singing to a tune or two on You Tube. My poor next-door neighbors has to endure my off-key warbling.
11:00 p.m. By now, my day is pretty well done. Time for flossing, brush my teeth and hit the sack.
Not the most exciting life. No fancy places to check out, no exotic trips but this pattern suits me just fine. This is the time of year to re-charge myself and prepare for my 11th year of teaching at Parkland Preparatory Academy.
So, to quote an old Jackson Browne song, “And when the morning light comes streaming in, I’ll get up and do it again. Amen.”
NEXT BLOG- When I know, you’ll know.