The 43

And that's a wrap! I wish I had written more this summer, something I need to figure out for the fall. And I wish I had not gained 10 pounds in the last month, but I'm taking steps there too (tracking calories again; it always helps). Although I'll miss summer, as I always do, I'm not annoyed that it went so fast this year. Make no mistake -- it did go fast. The past few summers have settled into this routine: School ends A couple weeks with nothing big, maybe a basketball camp and a swim meet Two basketball tournaments here in town Fourth of July A week or two of just summer Michael's Vegas tourney The state swim meet Vacation School begins Labor Day All these mini steps go fast -- so fast that before you know it, summer is over. The heat was back today, and even hazier skies. I hear the crickets chirping from my front porch. This summer was good, bordering on great. I wish I hiked more and didn't get chunky (vacation kills me ...), and I do...

The first two weeks of school are just preludes for the rest of the year. The fun really begins after Labor Day. Today was the day after Labor Day. The heat is still suffocating Salt Lake, but I got to enjoy another day of work by the pool. Haze from fires all over the West (including one up in Weber County) is settling into the valley. Ben began swim practice again after about five weeks off. Michael had another basketball tryout and did quite well at it. And though it was hot today and I got to lounge in a refreshing pool, it definitely felt like summer has concluded. Nothing gold can stay, or in case, blaze orange due the smoky skies.

This stretch of summer started with the first day of the school year and an eclipse. It ended with a triathlon, a holiday, and a greenish swimming pool. The first day of school was the eclipse, 91 percent here in Salt Lake City. We dropped the boys off at school and came home, working a little before enjoying the sky show. Ben was super excited to start sixth grade. Michael was less enthused to be back, though his friends were happy to see him. The first weeks of school passed quickly. The boys got used to their routines. Michael did some extra basketball training sessions in advance of tryouts. We went to the pool a few times. I even worked twice at a friend's house who has a backyard pool -- I couldn't believe how ridiculously productive I was. The second soccer game of the season was played, with us winning 5-4. We're starting to look a little better. A few fantasy football drafts are already in the books. The season is coming soon. Ben and I enjoyed a Friday n...