Dreams of Forever, One Summer Day at a Time

By Nick Moorhead  |   Submitted On October 17, 2014

An endless summer is a dream of mine, and there are bright, hot days in mid-July when this dream appears attainable. The sun is powerful and blinding, the sands on the beach comfortable enough to sink into, and there is this pervasive sense that the season could be infinite.

Time keeps elapsing though, even (or especially) when you aren't sure what day of the week it is. July gives way to August, and the skies darken way too early in the evening. President Obama and his family leave once again, a hurricane glances the Island, college students return to school and then summer ends, without fanfare, like a neglected bonfire at a beach party.

It was in this mood that I decided to set out in search of how others felt on these last blissful days before fall carries so many back to their other lives.

David LeBreton, the largely unflappable, always articulate owner of Edgartown Books, is usually the last of his family to leave the Island for winter. Therefore he is usually the one to close up shop and find storage for his family's summer gear. Rather than regard the task as a burden, Mr. LeBreton takes pleasure in the extra couple of days he gets to spend on Island.

"For a few days I find myself alone and reflective and busy, and prefer it that way," he said. "Unlike the endless nuisance of opening things up in June, I enjoy the quiet solitude of September chores."

This is his time to "contemplate and be grateful for a lifetime of utter contentment on the rock."

Inkwell Beach

Mr. LeBreton's last stop at the end of summer is the Edgartown cemetery, "to let departed old friends and family know that all is well, that I'll be back soon."

Kristin Santangelo who works at Stefanie Wolf Designs in Oak Bluffs is a wisp of a girl with a thunderous singing voice befitting someone two or three times her size. She once sang for this writer on the sidewalk above Inkwell Beach, creating such a stunning performance that strangers stopped and applauded.

I share my dream of an infinite summer with her and she relates.

"Summer's very important," she says. "My most vivid memories are from summers. It's when the most stuff happens in my life."

I agree but I also have an attachment to seasons, mostly, I must admit, because fall, spring and winter make me appreciate summer all the more. But this isn't just about having fun. In fact, I'm never as conscious of my own mortality as I am on a lazy August afternoon. Summer makes me feel alive, even while emphasizing that this won't always be the cas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8771636

4 Reasons Why You Should Hire Household Staff

By Thom Sanders  |   Submitted On November 06, 2014

Working copious amounts of hours at a job, or owning a large house or plot of land are just some of the reasons why people consider hiring staff such as nannies and butlers. Many of us dream about having household staff, but this could quickly become reality. So, here are just a few ways in which employing domestic staff could improve the lives of those who are struggling to manage everyday tasks.

More time to yourself

Working all the hours under the sun can be rewarding, but this can often mean that household chores or cooking healthy meals get pushed to one side. By hiring a cleaner or cook, those returning after a busy day can truly relax once the working day is done, ensuring that they are getting the correct amount of rest before the following day. What's more, with less time used doing chores, those with household staff can spend time doing things that are more enjoyable, such as enjoying dinner with the family or doing preferred hobbies.

Hosting events

Throwing dinner parties can be plenty of fun, but once the invites are sent out, many begin to remember the effort required to make them happen. By hiring a chef or a cleaner, hosts can be put at ease, knowing that the event will run smoothly from start to finish, and it will also mean that the cleaning up after the party will be taken care of. Those with a butler or bartender will also be able to better cater for their guests, and can spend more time socialising with people attending.

Children will be kept occupied

Those with a busy working life can often feel guilty about the lack of quality time spent with their children. However, by employing a nanny, people can rest assured that their children are being given the attention that they deserve. From playing games and going on days out to reading books and doing homework, with a household nanny to assist the children, those at work or working from home can concentrate on the tasks at hand.

Travel without worry

There are many benefits to hiring a chauffeur, with no need to worry about walking in bad weather, finding suitable parking, or enjoying more than one drink before you head home. Having a chauffeur also means that it won't be necessary to worry about expensive added costs if the driver is required to wait at a pick-up point.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8798243

Changes in the Family Dynamic

By Nichole L Johnson  |   Submitted On November 01, 2014

What is your definition of family? Your definition may be entirely different from mine and the government. Our experiences with family dynamics make our definition unique. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a family consists of two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption residing in the same unit. A household consists of all people who occupy a housing unit regardless of a relationship.

If we explore the nature of today's family, we can research statistics to help us identify current patterns and trends. According to Welch (2010), at one time television and the media portrayed images of the idea American family. The father came home from a hard day's work. The apron-clad homemaker offered comfort and support for her husband as well as her children. The home was clutter-free in a homogeneous neighborhood.

Television shows in the 1950's were perfect examples of these images. There were no single parents unless the father was widowed (My three sons and Andy Griffith show). There were no infidelities, no divorce, no abuse, no teen runaways or prior marriages. There were no displays of hardships such as losing employment, domestic violence or neighborhood violence. Social issues such as racism, homosexuality, teen pregnancy and high school dropouts were not mentioned.

In the United States today, there is no such thing as a "traditional family." Families are consisting of:

1. Family of Origin - or family of orientation, is the family into which we are born or brought into by adoption.

2. Family of Procreation - the family unit that is formed when we marry and produce children.

3. Nuclear Family - consists of a biological father, a biological mother, and their biological or adopted children.

4. Extended family - a family unit where two or more generations of close family relatives live together in one household.

5. Single Parent Families (Parenting households where there is no spouse or may result from divorce death of a spouse ).

6. Childless or Child-free Families (Unable to conceive or bear children of their own, or adopt children or Remaining child-free as a conscious choice).

7. Step-families (Sometimes referred to as a reconstituted family; Formed when, after death, divorce or separation of one parent, the other parent marries again; Formed when a never-married parent marries. About 16% of all American families are step-families).

8. Cohabiting (Unmarried partners who live together in a single household; 33% of adults cohabit before marriage; 11 million Americans live with their unmarried partner).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8791886