Staying cool this summer
I live in Houston, as most of my current audience does or has in the past. Houston is known for hot, humid summers. But this summer is one for the record books. By mid-June, we were already reaching daily highs of over 100°F with “feels like” temperatures around 112°F. So, it is too hot to be outside. And it is only going to get worse as the summer months drag on. So what is my plan to stay cool this summer as these temperatures continue to soar? I’m so glad you asked. Spoiler alert - a large amount of my summer plans involve working on projects for Typing Monkey Publishers. But I have some non-work related plans as well!
1) Continuing current publishing projects. This is the most important of all my plans, because it ensures that this small business continues to grow and gain recognition. Dede Fox’s “The Woodlands Art Benches: Sparking Connections” has truly taken off. So much so that we are about to enter into our second printing, with a few minor changes and corrections. I plan to keep on networking and marketing to get the book into even more hands and open up new channels and opportunities. Meanwhile, Eric K. Dargan’s “Leading Without Dollars” is nearly ready to go to print (so be watching for pre-sale news soon) and will be opening a whole new exciting market for Typing Monkey Publishers. And the fun doesn’t end there. We are also breaking into the education market with an innovative new reading intervention resource for teachers (so all you educators stay tuned for future updates). Other future projects that are in discussion include a historical family cookbook, photo books, and offering editing and layout services for those authors who want to self-publish. There is plenty to keep me busy (and inside) during these hot summer days!
2) Reading. Anyone who knows me knows that reading is one of my favorite pastimes. True, assigned reading in school took some of that joy away for several years. But now I have been out of school for a while and I have rediscovered my passion for reading. Now, my day does not feel complete if I haven’t read at least one chapter of something, and I am rarely able to stop after only one chapter. So I plan to spend a good deal of time this summer relaxing in the air conditioning with a good book. Or a magazine. Or perhaps a manuscript that you submitted for publishing.
3) Dancing. I have taken a break from teaching dance this summer. But in doing so, I actually ended up taking a break from dance itself. And I can feel it. So I have decided to get back in the studio and get myself in class. Regularly. Dance is such a beneficial activity at any level and age. It is good for the body and the mind. Not to mention that it gives me an emotional outlet and feeds my creativity. I miss being in the studio, sweating, training, challenging myself, and losing myself in the creative expression of movement.
4) Bingeing my streaming services. I’m just being honest here. I know that I will spend a large amount of time in front of the TV watching the various streaming services I have access to. My Netflix list is a mile long, and that is just one service. I plan to watch a little bit of everything - true crime documentaries, reality TV, romantic comedies, action movies, horror, historical drama…the possibilities are endless. Except for sci-fi. I just can’t get into that genre.
5) Cleaning/organizing/decorating. As mentioned in a previous entry, I am currently in the process of selling my home and buying a new residence. Which means that I get to start over from scratch and reorganize all my things! Some people hate the idea of moving, but I actually get really excited about it. It is a great time to purge all of that unnecessary junk that you have been holding on to for whatever reason. And I love the idea of a new (to me) home - a blank slate that I get to organize and decorate as I see fit. The trick is to get it all set up the way you want from the beginning, otherwise you just get comfortable. So I am looking forward to some indoor time cleaning out my current home and getting myself all set up in a new place.
So, those are my plans to stay indoors and have a productive and enjoyable summer. It may seem like a short list, but it is plenty to keep me busy (not to mention working full-time as well). How do you plan to stay cool this summer? Let me know in the comments!
