Kites

So you read this title and thought: It’s happened. The woman is delusional or has been living in a cave. Doesn’t she know that a pandemic spread across the world cancelling life as we knew it? Doesn’t she know that violence is destroying some of America’s most renowned cities and wildfires are raging? Doesn’t she know that the political divide has never been deeper, and that the fate of our nation rests on the outcome of the next election? Yes, yes, and yes. I know all that.

But I’m also aware that while we’ve been distracted, concerned, confused, fearful, and maybe just plain mad about all the above, summer simply made her seasonal appearance. And, at least in our corner of the world, she did so in a spectacular and satisfying way.

Although September in Colorado brings many beautiful, warm days, summer always seem to be officially over when school starts—either in classrooms or virtually as this year. So I’m already reflecting on what was so special about a summer that may have slipped by unnoticed.

My husband and I had extra time on our hands which we chose to spend outside walking, swimming, or gardening whenever we could. We actually got tan through the sunblock this year! That’s summer.

After five years in this house, we finally had our own charm (the group name) of hummingbirds. One morning I counted five at the feeder at once! I know for some of you that’s still a paltry few, but since sightings have been so rare for us it was exciting enough for me to put up an extra feeder. Each morning and evening I’ve been charmed by their antics. That’s summer.

Our flowers outdid themselves. The clematis and rose bush in our front yard bloomed not once but twice, and the pots of annuals on the deck performed profusely too. There’s just something about going out barefooted early each morning to water your plants. That’s summer.

The farmers’ market brought fresh green beans, peaches, and homegrown tomatoes, and my son’s vegetable garden produced a bountiful harvest, too. That’s summer.

We’re blessed to have two parks near us and though organized sports leagues were cancelled, the sound of children playing was reassuringly normal. We heard the crack of the bat from pick up baseball games, got to pet all the dogs on their way to the dog park, and even caught sight of a kite stuck in a tree. That’s summer.

Did you miss it? If so, it’s not too late. Set aside your worries about all the things you can’t do much about anyway and get outside so God’s gift of summer can speak to you. You’ll find her message quite soothing and satisfying.

This time of year they begin popping up just everywhere. One in a field next to the grocery store. One in a school yard. What are they? The first purple and yellow crocuses? No, the first thing to pop up and announce that spring is really here is the high-flying, fantasy-making kite.

Is there any activity that lifts our spirits like successfully flying a kite? When the trees and power lines are avoided and the wind is just right, even the novice can soar to success. Feeling the tug of the string and looking up as the kite battles the breeze like a bird flying into the wind lifts us above ourselves, above our daily responsibilities and worries.

No wonder kite flying is an international sport with associations and conventions to rival those of physicians, attorneys or engineers. For just $40 a year, serious kiters can join the American Kitefliers Association (aka: AKA) and receive regular newsletters, a magazine, instructional tips, and discounts on kites of every imaginable size and construction. Competitive Kite Festivals and Fun Flys are held all over the world, and you can keep up with these events on the organization’s website, www.kite.org.

Tradition tells us kites were discovered in China when the wind blew a hat off a farmer’s head. The hat was tethered to the ground by a string and so lofted into the air without blowing away. Kites were unknown in Europe for centuries until Marco Polo brought them back from his travels to the East. Then Europeans and later Americans used kites for all kinds of scientific and military purposes.

There are many famous kitefliers. Benjamin Franklin used kites to prove the existence of electricity in the air and then invented the lightning rod. The most well-known fictitious kiteflier is Charlie Brown of Peanuts. Who can forget his kite-eating tree?

One of the most celebrated kitefliers in Colorado was the late Frances Weaver. The famous author began her writing career by selling an article on flying kites to Vogue magazine after she founded the Beulah Valley Association for Tethered Flight. She even put “kitewriter” on her business cards.

Describing her love affair with kites in her book Midlife Musings, Frances said, “There’s magic in a kite. There is also joy, serenity, challenge and frustration. (That describes most love affairs when you think about it).”

I once found a pink Barbie kite in our garage that was left over from a visit by two small granddaughters. Seeing it brought back happy kite-flying memories! I’m not sure what brought the loudest giggles of delight from them. Seeing the kite in the air, or watching Grancy and Papa running through the field trying to get it aloft!

Our house overlooks a large park and often we see kites of all shapes and construction dipping and climbing in the sun. April is National Kite Month. Maybe this year I’ll pick up a kite again and join those watching their colorful kites dancing against the blue Colorado sky. Happy spring!

A Satisfying Summer

Kites Keep Us Looking Up!