Up@dawn 2.0

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Week 6 ...The Pros & Cons of a summer afternoon

  • Henry said "Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." In Tennessee summer, for me, it's summer morning... but I agree with the spirit of Henry's statement. Do you?
While I do not necessarily agree that “summer afternoon” are the two most beautiful words in the English language, I can appreciate the sentiment that is expressed by Henry. Summer is a very unique time and for most people summer holds a special place in their hearts. Summer is the time of fun, adventure, exploration, youth, and love. There is a freedom and felling of infinite possibilities that are associated with summer time. A laziness and unspoken or unwritten acceptance of lesser responsibilities. On a summer afternoon everything is in full bloom outside. On a summer afternoon one can spend time outside with friends and family. One can swim in the lake, swing on the porch, or lie in the grass and gaze at the sky. All these things are difficult or impossible to do in the other seasons around the year.
However, Henry is not lost on the disadvantages of summer as well. Henry also says, “there is the emptiness of summer as well…”. Henry takes into account that people go on holiday or do other things, like those previously spoken of, except they do them in different places. The summer has a way of sometimes taking away the people that you love and creating an emptiness as well. Therefore, when the school, or the church, or the town is empty while people explore and enjoy summer, the “summer afternoon” that was once so anticipated, can become a dreaded routine.  On a side note, the two most beautiful words in the English language are “complete independence”.  

7 comments:

  1. What does complete independence mean to you?

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    1. I gave up the quest for complete independence in stages, with marriage, then Older Daughter's birth, followed by Younger Daughter, followed by tenure... and I came to see interdependence and responsibility as beautiful things too. Can you relate?

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    2. Complete Independence to me means the ability to do whatever, whenever, and however I see fit. Most of us are bound by family, responsibilities, debt, or obligations...I love the idea of being completely free to do what you want when you want. One of the most taboo things is assisted suicide but why is it not ok to end your life on your terms? Because society says you should wait and suffer. Complete independence would allow for you to live or die in any way you see fit.

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    3. Unless you botch it. Then you'll be dependent on the killing kindness of others.

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    4. HAHAHA I never thought of it like that. So yes in that case then you'd probably definitely be dependent upon the kindness of others

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  2. "To be interested in the changing seasons is, in this middling zone, a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." George Santayana

    Or summer.

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  3. What does independence mean to you?
    In a word…freedom!
    “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31)

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