What I did, and didn't do, over the summer

Dear School Kids,

Look who's back in class!

You!

And not me!

I don't mean to rub it in, but ha ha ha ha ha ha!

That's one of the advantages of being my age. I never EVER have to go back to seventh grade.

Anyway. Today's a good time to take stock of the summer you just had — to make lists of what you did and didn't do, which is something I've done forever.

This is what my lists look like this time around:

STUFF I DID THIS SUMMER

Got a pedicure.

Sat on the beach and watched for dolphins (didn't see one).

Drank a lot of Mexican Coca-Cola.

Read a few thrillers.

Talked to teachers about writing.

Let my bangs grow, mostly out of extreme laziness.

Watched "Perry Mason" reruns almost every night.

STUFF I DIDN'T DO THIS SUMMER

Play darts.

See the new "Star Trek" movie.

Clean out my kitchen pantry (even though I meant to practically every day).

Make frozen raspberry jam.

ON THE OTHER HAND

I went to some great weddings.

Did physical therapy.

Read zombie haiku, courtesy of my friend Chris Crowe.

Slept with the windows open and listened to night noises.

Attended a great writing conference at BYU.

Baby-sat a Chinese pug, three parakeets, two cats and a hamster.

HOWEVER, I didn't hike to Cecret Lake and see the wildflowers.

Sleep outside in the backyard and watch meteor showers.

Take my Newfie swimming.

Plant a new rose bush.

STILL, I watched fireworks.