The List.....

As we approach the time of year when deciduous trees drop their leaves, when kids are back in school, when the air is crisp and clear (except in southern Ohio), and when the local stores have had their Halloween items out for a full two months, it can only mean one thing. Summer is over. As I look back to what was the "Ponchot Family Summer", I am drawn to a mysterious writing that I have never actually seen with my own eyes, but it's effect on our family has been profound. It's called...the List. You see last spring, my lovely (and wise) wife Julie, put together "The List". The "List" was simply a gathering of all the things that she thought that we should do during the summer as a family. Usually, summer flies by without making a sound except for maybe a weeks vacation. Not this year. I think she is on to something. The "List" contained many items. Some were very simple, like buying an ice cream from the ice cream truck. Others were more involved, like a three day camping experience. The "List" also included trips to parks, trips to farms, going to a drive-in movie (I hadn't done that in years), having kid movie night at home, and many others. You might think that it made for a highly regimented , scheduled summer but it wasn't like that at all. I don't even think that we made it through the entire "List" (especially since I have never been privy to read it) but I do know we gave it a run. All I can say is that this summer was great! I highly recommend that you hire my wife next spring to help you make your own "List"(just kidding). I will add a short word of caution to all guys, the "List" was not all fun and games. There were also some home projects on the "List". Be ye warned. Uh Oh....something just occurred to me...is she working on...the fall... "List"?