Summer’s Last Legs

By bjaybrooks on
Comic panel text: “The final chapter of summer! A last walk in the warming sun before the leaves turn and… Autumn takes command!” Two friends hike, saying “Look at the colors, Ben! Fall is definitely coming!” and “Yeah! But it’s still warm! Let’s soak it all in!” with sounds “Whirrrp!”, “Laughter?”, and “Crunchy.”
Two friends enjoy a sunny forest walk as summer gives way to autumn.

Another Heat Dome. It may reach 100 degrees on Saturday. Unusual for our neck of the woods. It does not seem that hot. Uncomfortable is the word for the day. We, the people of the fall, are waiting and anticipating. We know what is coming. We understand who we are. We will not be deterred by a Heat Dome in August. Mylo is lying in the sun. He enjoys the radiant splendor for a short while. Then Mylo returns to air-conditioned comfort. He was born to it.

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Comic-style backyard scene with dog and text: “AHHH, THIS SUMMER SUN IS PERFECTION!”, “BAAAAASK!”, and “MYLO’S SUMMER BLISS!”
Milo the dog enjoys a bright summer afternoon on a colorful backyard picnic blanket.

In the halcyon days of the Old Man’s youth, there were no air conditioners in school. We were hot and sweaty. Sleep exhaustion from the hot classroom. The joys of summer beckoned from the open windows. It was last week we frolicked at Pounds Hollow and floated on our backs in the deep water. There were dreams of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Captain Nemo called out to us to trim the mainsail. We were the Captain of our ship; we were the master of our souls.’ There were sea monsters to vanquish. We traveled with Ulysses on the Odyssey. The Cyclops was an awesome sight. He spoke several languages and saw all with one eye. The Sirens were compelling; their song was hypnotizing. We thought about staying with them but did not. Off to school we must go, our parents said with unusually giddy faces. Neva J said each day of August How many more days to school with a rapturous grin. We had a few firecrackers left. We lit them. We had an unused snorkel; we used it. Tomorrow is Friday, and we will pay homage to summer lost at the Orpheum Theatre.

Comic-style Orpheum Theatre scene with text: “LATE AFTERNOON IN SEPTEMBER 1963,” “SEPTEMBER 1963,” “BACK TO SCHOOL BASH CELEBRATE SUMMER’S END,” “KIDS’ MATINEE! 25c END OF SUMMER PARTY,” and speech bubbles saying “CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL! BUT THIS PART WAS AMAZING!”, “WE DID IT! ONE LAST PARTY!”, and “BEST SUMMER EVER!”
Teenagers celebrate the end of summer outside the Orpheum Theatre in September 1963.

‘Look over there, it is Captain Nemo walking down the hall, Chet said with passion. ‘I passed the Cyclops this morning on the playground, and he bid me good morning, Chet said. ‘He was reading the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer,’ Chet grinned. ‘Mr. Cyclops said that I had eluded him this summer but next summer would soon be here,’ Chet continued. ‘Mr. Cyclops offered me a job as his assistant sheep herder and a good straw bed in his cave,’ Chet noted. ‘Mr. Cyclops was a bit misunderstood as his visage and heft belied a good heart,’ Chet explained. ‘Yes, he ate a few of Ulysses’ soldiers, but they were but ants to him, Chet explained. ‘He loved the classics; he was an art aficionado,’ Chet proclaimed. ‘Mr. Cyclops loved his sheep; he had a massive library,’ Chet noted. ‘He was a good Cyclops, Chet observed.

Comic scene of a man reading Homer’s Odyssey at Hillcrest Playground
A rugged reader enjoys Homer’s Odyssey while children fill Hillcrest Playground with laughter.

Jane looked to her right, and Mr. Cyclops was sitting in a desk next to her. He smiled and spoke a familiar greeting used among friends. Mr. Cyclops sought the world of the kids. They had inspired him. Also he was told that he could easily be named to the basketball team.

Comic panel reading “MR. CYCLOPS NAMED TO 1963 HILLCREST JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM!”
A retro comic-style panel introduces Mr. Cyclops as Hillcrest’s 1963 junior varsity recruit.

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