Seriously, where did the summer go? It really did seem to go by faster than ever. That’s probably because it was so late arriving this year. After all, there was still snow on the ground at the beginning of April here.

Though I’ve been retired from teaching for 11 years, most of my life was tied to the school year calendar. When the first of September rolls around, regardless of what the weather is like, I feel like summer has come to an end. For the past few weeks my teacher friends have been back in their classrooms making plans, decorating, and getting ready for new faces to fill the desks in front of them. The kids go back on Tuesday morning.

At this time of year, I’m often asked, “Do you miss it?” and my answer is always, “No!” Don’t get me wrong. I loved being a teacher and I still love children, but do I wish I was back in a classroom? Absolutely not! I wouldn’t trade the freedom of retirement for the best teaching job on the planet!

So what do retired teachers do when that school bell rings on Tuesday morning? Across the nation and around the world many of them will be gathering for their annual “to hell with the bell” celebrations! Me? I’m going camping just because I can! The days are getting shorter and noticeably cooler, but we’re going to squeeze in just a wee bit more summer before it’s too late.