Memorial Day Weekend Here and There

I've been a bit homesick for a week or so now, and I think I've figured out why: this weekend last year was a time of farewells.  If you remember, dearest long-time readers, I threw myself a goodbye party last Memorial Day weekend.  I didn't leave DC until a few weeks later, but this is the one-year anniversary of my big last hurrah as a Washingtonian, and it's made me a bit contemplative and, yes, homesick.

Lots of blogs - including my fave expat site Pond Parleys - have talked about the significance of Memorial Day weekend in the states.  It was established as a holiday of remembrance in honor of all those who have fought for the United States, but, amongst most Americans, is primarily heralded as the beginning of summer.

I don't know if it's because I'm not across the pond or if it's because I don't have any sort of summer holiday (last year I didn't work during June and most of July as I was preparing for and recovering from my move to London) but summer doesn't seem quite here yet.  The weather's gorgeous, it's a bank holiday weekend even in the UK, and all signs are pointing summer, but I just don't feel it yet.  Maybe it's because I'm a bit homesick, which is making me a little melancholy.  Who knows?

Tomorrow Jon and I are going to explore Kew Gardens - cross your fingers for us that it doesn't rain - and hopefully that'll put me more in a summer frame of mind.

Or it's possible that what I really need to do is plan and book a beach holiday for the coming weeks.  Ah, sea and sand and sun... that's definitely what the doctor ordered!