WCWC #7, What I didn't do this summer, but secretly wish I had

Well the list of things I didn't do this summer, but secretly wish I had is endless. I wish I'd gone camping and spent time with nature and my friends. The last time I went camping was in August of 2008. It was a three day camping/music event. It was so much fun. The many dj's there brought many styles of music. There were people spinning fire, amazing to watch! I sat there in a sort of trance while they wove the fire around in artistic movements. I had a desire to get up and get closer, but I stayed rooted where I was. I met so many people from all over the U.S. who had come for one dj or another. We shared stories about where we were from, what we did back home, our families, etc. I didn't like port-a-potties, no showers, etc. But, as a whole...the experience was amazing. And since then I have longed to go to something like that again. Lack of money kept me from it and some of the weekends that my friends were going on trips happened to be weekends that my son was home. So one thing or another kept me from going camping, along with other things I wish I'd done.


It'd have been nice to go to Summerfest at least once this year. That's another thing I hadn't done in awhile, since 2005. Music is in my heart and soul. It's a way for me to get out frustrations, to show my happiness, to deal with my sadness, to show my love for people. Music speaks to me and it helps me speak when words fail me, like writing does. Summerfest is an annual music festival that's 10 days long here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. People come from all over the U.S. to hear their favorite bands, eat awesome food, buy merchandise, and hang out with friends. The parking is horrible & admission and food is overpriced, but the music is awesome. Thousands of people are willing to pay the prices just to hear their favorite bands play. For a few years, I went twice each summer so that I could hear some of my favorite rock bands one day and then EDM (electronic dance music) dj's the next. And in between waiting for specific bands, I'd walk around and check out bands I'd never heard before. I like to experience new things...try new foods, listen to new bands, see new places, etc. Summerfest provided a lot of fun memories. I'd hoped to go this summer, but it wasn't in the cards.

And neither was going to the Wisconsin State Fair, something that happens every summer in early August for an 11 day run. There are animals to see, stuff to look at and buy, music to listen to, games to play, amusement park rides to go on, lots of awesome food to eat....especially the creamy cream puffs and the rich cheese curds. In Wisconsin, one of the things we're known for is loving cheese. Ha ha! You can put cheese on almost anything around here. The long walks from having to park far away and lines waiting for various things are worth it after a long day of eating great food and experiencing everything else that State Fair has to offer. I love going on the Tilt-a-Whirl, even though my vertigo doesn't appreciate it. Ha ha! The Ferris Wheel, the bumper cars, the Gravitron, and so many more...the MUST GO ON RIDES...when I'm there, I feel like a kid again. I used to go with my mom or sometimes other family members when my mom would work there for extra cash. She'd work a game and we'd make sure to stop by and play. Those hot summer childhood days were the best, days I miss. But State Fair isn't just for kids, it's for people of all ages. I have taken my son a couple of times and he's thoroughly enjoyed himself. I loved watching him get excited as we stood in line for the carousel or the cars. I'd watch him wave at me as he went by on the ride. Seeing the joy in his face took me to happier times and it also made my heart leap for joy seeing him so happy. The State Fair is a place to make so many happy memories. Perhaps next year? :)

These are just a few of the things I secretly wished I'd done this summer....though it's not a secret now is it? But I don't mind sharing memories and wishes with you. I hope I took you on a journey, one where perhaps you closed your eyes and pictured yourself on the Ferris Wheel and smelling the many foods, a kind of perfume to your nose or maybe you saw yourself in the front row at Summerfest listening to your favorite band whether it's rock, pop, country, ska, metal, or maybe reggae...just feeling the music and the energy around you. Summer is a time for fun, family, & friends. I hope that whatever you did do, that you were able to make happy memories. I may not have gone to many of the places I wanted to, but I still made wonderful summer memories that will last me a lifetime. :)