Pens, Binders and New Shoes

Why is it that this time of year has me wanting to go out and buy new pens?  Or a binder?  Or new shoes?  Must be Back To School time!

It's been over 40 years for me and almost 20 for our boys since we've  been students but that doesn't stop me from having the urge to report to class.  And I'm not sure why.  It's not like I was all that studious when I WAS a student...In fact, my interest in the classroom didn't last as long as those new pens and my enthusiasm waned before I even had a chance to scuff up my saddle oxfords.

As a kid, I guess that, after a long, hot summer, I was ready for some structure in my life. It'd be good to see the same kids everyday... Get the old social calendar revved up again...  But with it all, came homework, having to pay attention, needing to sit still and be quiet for what seemed like a long time...none of the things I was (or am) very good at.

I should probably be embarrassed to admit that very few of my grade school memories have anything to do with academics.  Oh, an occasional spelling bee that I did well in.  I remember that.  Or preparing for my First Communion (but I think maybe a lot of my excitement about that was that I got to wear a veil!)  I recall saying morning prayers and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day.  But my memories tend to focus more on the people in my past and the social aspect of academia.  Does that make sense?

Like the boy in first grade who used his finger and spit to erase his mistakes (He had a hard time getting anyone to take his damp paper when it was time to pass our assignments up to the front, believe me!  Poor guy!) Or the day before school pictures, when a friend and I agreed to "tease" our hair... An exercise that was sure to make us look far more mature than fifth graders.... I came to school with a slight "hair hill",  thinking I looked pretty sharp.  That was, until she (who shall remain nameless ) walked into class, sporting a full blown bouffant that was sure to fill the entire photo!   Or the walk home from school...six whole blocks!  with the other kids, heading that way.   Or the arrival of spring when we'd be allowed to ride our bikes to school!  Here I am...talking about the season that signalled the end of the school year already!  And it just began!  So you get my drift... I loved school...just not the scholastic part.

So I really don't understand my enthusiasm for the whole "back to school" thing at this late stage in my life.   Maybe I'll cave this school year and get those pens and binder.  Perhaps, I can finally file all these blog posts into some kind of order.  But I think I'd better draw the line on the saddle oxfords.  They'd look pretty ridiculous with varicose veins, now, wouldn't they?