Finally–it’s officially summer! I wish you lots of banana splits, warm nights under starry skies, bike rides to the beach, tan skin warm to the touch, blankets on grass, sidewalk patios, and iced coffee.

My summer wishlist includes the following fun stuff:

• Ride bikes to Crystal Beach on a Saturday morning and bring picnic lunch in a backpack.
• Sun-filled photo shoots with old and new friends.
• Sing-a-long around the campfire at the cottage.
• An afternoon in the boat at Kershaw Park, swimming and reading.
• Caprese salad with my homegrown tomatoes and basil.
• Camping with Sean or family or friends.

What’s on your list?

I’m deep into the final round of work for my Fall 2010 semester. I probably won’t get my head above water until this weekend, and that’s going to require some disciplined, focused work on my day off Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday.

In my absence, I encourage you all to read my friend Lisa’s really inspiring blog post about her decision to create a life more in tune with her values and priorities. It’s very powerful and brave, and I wish I could meet her for coffee and conversation. I’ve been asking myself a lot of the same questions Lisa asked herself, and I have a somewhat related announcement coming in the next couple weeks.

For now, visit Lisa’s blog and sigh with me over that Blue Mountain Lake sunset.

Today is election day, so please go vote. I am planning on heading to the polls before I drive myself (first time since the foot breakage) to class. I have a group presentation tonight, and then I’ll head to whatever campaign celebrations are happening after class.

I thought I’d share with you this photo, taken a few days ago, while I was talking to Maura from the upstairs window and simultaneously satisfying #22 on my list: watching the leaves turn colors. From my perch on the couch, it’s almost as if I’m in the tree.

You know who else likes to be in trees? Katniss Everdeen. This means I’ve satisfied #1 on my list, which I didn’t really intend to be a do-list but now it is apparently. My book club is meeting this Friday to discuss The Hunger Games, and there will only be a few of us who have not read all three books in the triology. Message to those few: get on it.

I have been using my limited mobility to get Christmas crafts and projects made. Still, I’m experiencing some moments of frustration. Last night my foot ached from my having used it too much. The moment I was able to put a little weight on it I tried to start walking again. I came home from class frustrated and cranky, and then Sean and I had a conversation that made me feel not necessarily better but heard. I’m so grateful to have him with me.

I’m headed to the Adirondacks this weekend for my friend Brynn’s wedding. It’s going to be a lovefest of games, food, and wonderful people. Also leaves that are just starting to turn. I can’t wait. Sean is bringing his fishing pole and I am bringing my boots.

Last weekend I flew to Kansas City for my cousin’s wedding, and danced until I could not dance anymore. I mean it, I had to sit down and rest. For some reason the DJ decided to end the evening with “Empire State of Mind” followed by Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” Something about hearing those songs in Missouri made my brother, Sean, and I rush out onto the dance floor and go crazy. It was a lot of fun.

When I learned about this Ding Dong Ditch project from back in early July, it made my heart melt a little. The organizers’  held a week of ditching kindness and while it’s passed, I still think it’s a sweet, lovely idea. Here are the basics:

Here’s how it works:
During the weekend of June 30- July 7th our mission is to Ding Dong Ditch a house (or many) with kindness. What is Ding Dong Ditchin’ you ask? Simply leave something nice on a doorstep, ring the doorbell (or knock) and run away as fast as you can. This can be someone you know or don’t know but the excitement is doing this act of kindness anonymously. It almost always leads to racing hearts, laughing hard and high fives for us. I hope it will be as much fun for you!

Good things to leave:

Flowers
We usually write a note explaining it is an act of kindness so we don’t create some awful secret admirer scenario.

Cash
Any amount is fine, it’s best to put it in an envelope to keep it safe and so you can leave a note.

A Sign
You can leave a sign draped down the steps for someone to find or tape it to a porch. Ideas:  you are amazing! (it’s true), have a great day!, believe in love!, you are beautiful!

Ding Dongs
This cupcake sort of treat can be found at your local grocery store. This is my kid’s favorite to DDD their friends. We leave a note saying, “You’ve been Ding Dong ditched!” and then we eat some ourselves. Big hit!

Other simple ideas
Card or note of encouragement. Small work of art. Gift card or certificate. A Mixed CD.

I’m going to try to Ding Dong Ditch some kindness this weekend. I have some flowers in my garden waiting to be picked and shared.

Besides the gazillion Flaming Lips videos I’ve watched on YouTube since last week’s concert, the Vlog Brothers “Happy Dance Project” video has caused me some big time smiles.

And I have not forgotten about my summer fun to-do list. At the very top for me right now is the bike ride to Crystal Beach. Must do, must do, must do.  My friend Maura also wants to have a plate smashing party which is exactly what it sounds like. I am so down.

I’ve been meaning to write about my 27th birthday and the awesome hike I went on with Sean, Kevin and my dad (it included a helicopter rescue) but it will have to wait. Right now, I am in ALA annual conference mode: planning, reading, packing, synthesizing. Along the way I’m taking deep breaths.

I really have no idea what to expect from ALA. I mean, I expect amazing things since everyone I know has told me it’s a blast. In my head I compare it to other conferences I’ve attended, like NOW‘s statewide conference and various events I went to in college. Based on everything I’ve read though, nothing will compare.

I leave on Friday morning and will stay the night at my friend Melissa’s house. We went to high school together, and haven’t had much time together over the past few years. I’m looking forward to catching up with her, and getting to know her fiance more. I’ll check into my hotel on Saturday morning and meet up with Brynn at the conference that afternoon. She and I are attending the conference together and will have some quality friend/library nerd time through Tuesday afternoon, when I fly back to Buffalo.

Earlier today I went to the library and took out several YA and juvenile fiction books. I have been on a binge, and hope to bring some of these books with me on the plane.

If you want to follow my library and ALA-related updates throughout the conference, check out the twitter account I created specifically for the weekend and its pre- and post-events and discussions: twitter.com/whitneyALA.

At the end of a really long, stressful week, I’m meditating on the following statement from Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Unfortunately Spring also means allergies for me and I had my first allergy sucker punch this afternoon at work. The whole swollen eye, hurts to see thing. Came home and took some medicine, blah blah blah. Anyway, I started writing this post to say that while I was resting tonight I watched The September Issue on Netflix. I’m not a fashion person, and I still liked it. And it inspired me to share the following photos:

Gorgeous, right? They are beautiful, Italian stockings that my friend Brynn brought back from her February trip to (surprise) Italy. When she and I travelled there together in college I brought back three or four pairs of stockings, all of them amazing. This pair she brought me might beat them all. I love the delicate flowers, so much so that I haven’t tried them on yet for fear of ruining them (I know). I’m also waiting for the perfect Spring outfit. More photos here.

Back to the documentary, have any of you seen it? Did you love Grace Coddington and her wild red hair? I did. Maybe she’ll be in my dreams since I’m going to sleep right about now.