Dear Kid,

The sunflowers are as high as the second story --and the birds love it. DearKidLoveMom.comSummer is heading toward being over. I know this because

  1. Yesterday set a record for chilly temps with a low of 50 degrees. Made me think I was in Utica, NY. (This isn’t really an indication of middle of summer, but it’s what started me thinking about the topic.)
  2. Sunday newspaper ads have begun to feature back-to-school specials.
  3. Football 2-a-days begin this week. Pi is not amused that there is a 2-a-day on Saturday.
  4. The sunflowers have grown up to the second floor of the house and the birds are having a marvelous time chowing down on the seeds. A squadron of goldfinch and one chickadee are hanging out. The chickadee has taken possession of one smallish, hidden flower and quietly eating rather than getting caught up in the drama of the goldfinches as they flutter and posture and fight for the best seat in the house garden.
  5. Ohio University is ready to accept fall tuition.

So with the onset of fall tuition season, it is time to deliver my annual “Take College Seriously but Not Quite Too Seriously and Balance Fun with Learning and Good Grades and By The Way Stay Safe” lecture. Or at least it would be if I had ever written such a thing.

I haven’t.

I probably should.

Perhaps you can just read my mind and know what I’m thinking. Then again, perhaps not.

Sometimes I think it’s the job of parents to say some of the things you know we’re going to say just so kids realize we haven’t forgotten either.

Take college seriously, but not quite too seriously.

Balance fun with learning and good grades.

And most especially, stay safe and call text your parents every now and then.

Love, Mom