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Annie Dillard Was a Real One: The Woman Who Understood That Seeing the World Is Not the Same as Understanding It

Annie Dillard spent her life examining the extraordinary mysteries hiding inside ordinary existence. Her passing reminds me that the greatest writers don't simply teach us how to read the world. They force us to confront how little of it we've actually bothered to see. There is something profoundly unsettling about losing a writer who spent her entire life reminding us that everything was temporary in the first place. It's almost as though death, that arrogant bastard, decided to interrupt a conversation about its own inevitability. And in the case of Annie Dillard, the irony is particularly cruel because few writers understood the strange relationship between life, suffering, beauty, and mortality quite like she did. Annie Dillard died on September 15, 2026, at the age of 81. The world lost a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, an extraordinary essayist, a fearless intellectual, and a woman who possessed the increasingly endangered ability to look at something ordinary and reco...
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Fun, Low-Cost Summer Activities for Families

 


School is out, the weather is nice - it's time to plan some fun activities!

Have a picnic

A picnic is an iconic summer activity. Sandwiches and lemonade might be traditional, but don't be afraid to think outside of the box.

Pack any salad in jars. When you're ready to eat, pour the dressing over the top, add any crunchy toppings you'd like, put the lid back on the jar and shake it up!

Make sure you have some shade to sit under, whether it be shade trees, a ramada, or a pop-up tent.

Go to the Park

This can be combined with having a picnic. Going to the park is a great option for the morning while it's still cooler or for the evening since the sun is out later.

There are so many options for activities at the park. Playgrounds are great for younger kids. Some parks have fitness equipment that older kids and adults can use. Soccer and volleyball require an open grassy area, and many parks have basketball courts.

Many dollar stores have inexpensive outdoor toys that would be great options for fun at a park.

Go to the Library

Public libraries are great resources for activities year-round, and they generally have special summer programs to keep kids engaged in reading and learning. Kids may be able to earn prizes based on the number of books or words they read. There may even be presentations by special guests such as magicians, farmers, search and rescue teams, and more.
Check if your library has summer programs for teens and adults, too!

Make a Cool Snack

Popsicles and ice cream are refreshing summer treats, and they're fun to make at home.

You can buy popsicle molds especially for making popsicles, or you can use what you already have. Ice cube trays with toothpicks for sticks make cute tiny popsicles. Small cups or baking tins with spoons or straws for sticks work great too.

Making ice cream can also be a fun activity for kids. Instead of using an ice cream machine, look up a recipe that requires them to mix it up in a bag. They'll have to work to make their ice cream!

The Best Activity

The most important part of summer activities is to just enjoy your time with each other!

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