December 2

It turned out to be the best summer of my life.

1964

I got my application from Maria Pratt. Bernie, the head counselor, remembers me and wrote that she was glad I applied. If I am accepted, I won’t know until April.

Mom and I went Christmas shopping at Caldor. Mom got something but I couldn’t make up my mind. I can’t get a mohair sweater for Bob because of Mom’s allergy. Shirts, ties, and socks seem so ordinary. I don’t want to buy anything like that.

Comment 2022

Camp Maria Pratt! Yes, I was accepted as a Program Aide for summer, 1965. This was a huge deal for me; I was committing to eight weeks of no babysitting income and with visits home limited to a few weekends. It turned out to be the best summer of my life. Yes, that’s the best summer ever. What sixteen-year-old me needed (unbeknownst to me) was a summer in a new place, with new responsibilities. It was a good time for me to be away from my friends, many of whom were dating or going steady. I had a taste of being a fifth wheel that spring, and it was not fun. At Camp Pratt I acquired a new identity: Skeezix, the archery counselor and artist.

I illustrated the camp “yearbook”, a mimeographed collection of song parodies about the staff. The cover shows my favorite spot: the swing on a giant tree along the path to the various units. I have often imagined going back to Camp Maria Pratt and finding my way from the dining hall to the lakefront, winding my way through the four units: Happy Hollow, Fox Glen, Indian Rock and Tall Timbers. I would stop at the tree and enjoy a leisurely swing. But of course, as with most of the places of sixty years ago, Camp Pratt is no more. The Girl Scout Council of Northwestern Connecticut rented it out to another organization for many years, and finally sold off the property, bit by bit. The last parcel was sold in February, 2022.

I’ll save my memories of Bernie Moore for later; she was an important figure in my life.

1981

Yesterday I initiated a new organization scheme. It must be my 20^th, at least. This one is time-consuming, but does include daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. How long will I stick to this one? Five days? A week? Two weeks? If I can only squeeze in more library and writing time. (And less schmoozing.)

Comment 2023

The truth is that I had a constant need to recalibrate my organization. Things change, kids get older and leave the nest. Big projects are replaced by dozens of tiny projects. Strangest of all, if I stick to any routine too long, I get less done, not more. Live and learn.

2014

Today's Tarot card: 2 of discs, reversed.

"She doesn't want to have a very complicated life now. She wants simplicity and finds it hard to juggle two or more responsibilities, obligations or activities in her life. She may want space or freedom from responsibility right now."

Also to flap my arms and fly to the moon.