Earlier this week, our local newscasters basically declared summer to be over. This made me wonder why it’s so hard for us to just appreciate and enjoy the moment we’re in.

Welcome to the 173^rd edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a quote of the week. In addition to taking time to enjoy the moment, this week’s edition looks at subway cooling innovations, cougars returning to Minnesota, and the health benefits of jumping.  

On my mind this week: Just enjoy the moment

As we watched the local news this week, the anchor and weather host have been talking like summer is basically over. I could understand it if we’d been experiencing cooler temperatures, but this came amid a beautiful stretch of mid-summer weather.

My husband and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. Yes, it’s the middle of August, but let’s not rush things. Kids in Ontario still have three more weeks of summer holidays before going back to school after Labour Day. The fall equinox isn’t until September 22. And we can usually count on decent weather until at least early October.

Canadian summers are short enough. Let’s not make them shorter by rushing into a fall mindset any earlier than we need to. 

Watching this exchange made me wonder why it’s so hard for us to simply enjoy the moment we’re in. We always need to be moving on to the next thing. I suppose it’s a symptom of a society that conditions us to never be satisfied with where we are or what we have.

Don’t wish your life away

When I was a child, my parents used to say, “Don’t wish your life away” whenever I’d get excited about something coming up. For years, as an adult, I wished winters away as I looked forward to spring. Maybe it’s the wisdom of age, but I’ve learned to enjoy the moment and focus on finding positives in every day and every season.

Unlike many people in my age group, I have no desire to be a snowbird and I’m not really big on winter vacations to sunny destinations. I enjoy my home and community and don’t want to be away for months on end. And travelling in the winter is just a royal pain in the you-know-what.

For now, I’ll consider my summer cup as still half full—or more precisely 40% full based on the number of days until fall’s official arrival. I will make the most of the nice weather for as long as it lasts.

Winter will come soon enough. And that’s okay because there’s always something to enjoy.

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Three highlights of the week

It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:

• I am loving all the fresh fruit and vegetables this time of year. Along with tomatoes from my garden, I’ve been enjoying local peaches, cherries, peas, beans and zucchini. So good!
• We enjoyed our last few days as a family before Colleen returned to PEI on Monday, and Laura and Matt flew back to BC on Wednesday. Now the nest is empty again.
• After a busy few weeks, I had a couple of productive days at the end of the week to catch up on a few things.  

Things I learned this week

Life is all about learning. Here are three things I learned this week:

Subway cooling innovation

A Canadian company is testing an energy efficient cooling system in New York’s subway system. Loops of chilled water-filled pipes installed in ceiling arches absorb heat and cool the air.

The system doesn’t use any fans, making it more compact than traditional air conditioning. It’s also easier to maintain and 25% to 35% more efficient.

(Source: CBC What on Earth)

Cougars return to Minnesota

Researchers in Minnesota have seen the first evidence of cougar reproduction in the state in over 100 years. Once native to Minnesota, cougars disappeared a century ago.

(Source: Happy Eco News)

Benefits of jumping

If you’re not jumping as part of your fitness routine, you’re missing out on important health benefits. Just 10 to 20 jumps twice a day is enough to help maintain muscle function and strengthen bones.

(Source: Super Age)

Quote of the week

This quote sums up my thoughts on our empty nest this week.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.