“That’s a wrap,” the director yells signaling the end. And just like that, it’s over. Overnight my Instagram feed went from crisp linens to smooth velvets, open windows to gas logs, heirloom tomatoes to acorn squash. Summer, it seems, has gone into postproduction. I have no problem with farewell fall, auf wiédersehen winter, sayonara spring, but why is it so hard to say goodbye to summer? People generally have a tendency to hold on to things, relationships included, even when they no longer work for us. Staying with what you know, however bad, can somehow seem safer and more comfortable than facing the unknown and saying so long. There’s an old joke that some people say goodbye forever without leaving, and others leave without ever saying goodbye.
Perhaps because I am quarantined in Pawley’s Island, I am not ready to turn in my morning bike rides, afternoons on the beach, or evening rendezvous at Dairy Queen for wool scarves and pumpkin spice lattes. It feels like yesterday when I was counting down the days until I could trade in heels for flop flops and pavement for sand. Now, summer has come to a bittersweet close, and fall is ready to swoop in and take its place. As a summer lover, I’m just not quite ready to move on. Maybe you still have a few more bikini pics and sunglasses selfies you want to snap, too. Can’t we just go back to page one and start all over again? Transitioning to fall all is like having an affair with Clark Kent when I’m married to Superman. Cold weather is definitely my kryptonite.
The reality is there is no escaping goodbyes. Much has been written and sung of goodbyes because it is an important emotion. Saying goodbye allows us time to honor the importance that we have in each other’s lives. It gives us the opportunity to form words for feelings that we might be recognizing for the very first time. A good farewell honors our past, codifies the choices we made, recognizes life experiences with others and the world around us, and provides closure, as we move on to our next chapter. While fall certainly has its own beauty, Lord knows I love a cute pair boots and a Fairisle sweater as much as the next girl, nothing makes me feel as cozy and warm as my toes in the ocean. So tonight, I am having a wrap party for my favorite castmate. This is not a goodbye, rather until we meet again. Sea you next year, Summer. Catch you on the next wave. Stay salty. Time to roll the credits!
Peppery Chicken in a Pita
INGREDIENTS
3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
¼ cup teriyaki sauce
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teasppoon white pepper
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 cup lettuce
6 pita bread rounds
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut chicken into narrow strips and place in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add teriyaki sauce and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Remove chicken strips from teriyaki and discard remaining sauce. Combine thyme and the next 4 ingredients; sprinkle over chicken.
Heat oil in a large skillet, add chicken and cook until no longer pink and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes.
Combine mayonnaise and horseradish, carefully spread in each pita.
Sprinkle lettuce evenly in each pita, then top with chicken mixture.
