Cathy C. Hall Writes

christmas and tips 2011 026 Generally, I’m a pretty humble person. (Though if you have to point out that you’re humble, are you?)

Anyway, I think it’s amazing how I can so often find connections between my family unit and writing. ‘Course, others may not say this is such an amazing feat. Others may actually say this is just plain lazy. As in, “Cathy, how come you keep mining your own dang kids for blog posts?”

And to that I say, “There’s gold in them thar Halls!”

Hahahahahaha! It’s also probably poor taste to laugh at your own jokes. But I think we’ve already established that I have some questionable traits. On the other hand, I have written a (mostly) true and (somewhat) inspiring post that involves Junior Halls and writing. I hope you have a minute to read “Writing in the Beginning (The First-Born Child)” over at the Muffin. But if I’m being honest, you can always catch something about writing and the Halls some other time.

Probably in September. When I’ll head for the Halls for the next idea. (Hahahahaha! That was a good ‘un, too, right?)

daylight-landscape-reflection-1209610 And just like that, it’s August and shelves are ransacked of glue sticks, pencils, Kleenex, and individual snacks (though the fruit cups are always the last to go, aren’t they?). It’s like an army of kid-sized locusts have swarmed through all the stores and that’s how I know school’s started.

The Junior Halls have long since left their school days behind but there’s a part of me that I suspect will always be on school-time, following that back-to-school calendar and all its holidays/vacations. It’s hard-wired into my system.

But what’s also hard-wired into my system is that August is still vacation, especially the first two weeks of this month of sweltering heat. I went back to school after Labor Day, lo those many years ago; my kids went back to school in late August. And I’m pretty sure I know why: it’s too darn hot to think when it’s 89 but feels like 102.

The brain cannot function when it’s that hot and I have science on my side here. At my Tybee Island spot, the heat pump can’t keep the house cool. Yesterday, it was 84 around suppertime. EIGHTY-FOUR. I had to write a post for The Muffin and thank goodness, I tackled it in the morning before my brain turned to complete mush.

Except! Except I had to think up something the day before and it was also exceedingly warm in my house so I could only come up with short, little topics. Thus we have a. scientific proof re: my heat-affecting-thinking theory and b. “Writing Shorts” over at the Muffin today.

I feel like it’s pretty decent writing stuff, August and heat and brain mush considered. But it might help if you set your expectations accordingly (for both my post and the poor kidders and teachers).