Countdown to Summer ☀️
And the Ultimate Escape
Countdown to Summer
Remember the anticipation and excitement you felt the last few weeks of school before summer break? The energy of approaching change was palpable. Teachers did their best to just keep order because they, too, were ticking off the days until… freedom!!
If you became a parent, you experienced the fever all over again—albeit from a different vantage point. And even if it’s been years since school’s been over for you and/or your kids, the body still reacts to the energetic shifts of seasonal change with the same associations.
Summer=Escape to Freedom
If you live in the mountains, as I do, summer could mean a trip to the beach. Living on the coast (especially where summer brings daily temps of 90° or more) might inspire a trip to the cool air regions. Maybe just a change of scenery. Or maybe a staycation.
Anything to break the pattern of work/school will do. And we’re conditioned to associate these breaks as escapes from mental strain, responsibilities, and routines. Yay, freedom! For a week or two. A month, if you’re lucky.
For me, summer this year represents a more permanent kind of freedom. There’s no returning to what I’m leaving behind. The two Polaroid Art images by Joe Gemignani shown here symbolize my feelings precisely:
Just Umbrellas (above) is a dreamy scene you might envision in your imagination while sitting at your desk, impatiently waiting for the moment you can leave school or work. But it’s missing certain elements: no chairs, towels, blankets—or people. Basically it shows the start, the desire.
People in Emerald Water, however, illustrates the vision in action. Movement of people, waves, and current can be felt.
It’s the glorious energy of the foamy, emerald green sea that I’m immersed in now. And if you’ve ever attempted to stand firm in the path of ocean waves or tried to swim against the current, you know the wiser choice is to go with the flow. Heck, that’s why you’re there.
My Escape Plans for Summer 2026
As I wrote earlier this year, I’m using the seasonal changes to mark my calendar year rather than the Gregorian calendar of the patriarchy (outside of practical needs to interact with others, such as meeting dates/times).
The Summer Solstice on June 21 this year marks the midpoint of my commitment to leave societal structures that inhibit my freedom by the end of the year (for me, Winter Solstice). I called that commitment the Escape the Patriarchy Challenge.
What I’ve done so far has laid the groundwork for what’s to come. And I’m super-excited to share what’s ahead with you now!
Two Big Shifts Are Coming with Summer Solstice 2026!
The “escape” focus of SMUDGE! shifts into high gear, beginning June 19 and continuing with subsequent issues, examining the insidious patriarchal presence interwoven into the culture via algorithms, AI emergence, and more—with emphasis on how to opt out and into a supportive paradigm that nurtures independence and creativity.
To “walk my talk,” I’ve pulled my published works off of major retailers. Instead, I’m going direct to my readers. I left the grasp of traditional publishing long ago for the freedom of self-publishing via digital markets. But the subterfuge and bait-and-switch tactics of Amazon and most other online retailers negates their promises of distribution and audience engagement, leading to loss of readership and income.
I’ve created what I call my own personal Netflix for Readers on Patreon—a subscription site with tiered membership levels offering access to a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photo essays, and series with regular episode releases.
Read the backstory behind my decision here in an email originally sent to paid subscribers, now with paywall removed for all readers.
What I want you to know…
This newsletter will continue to be published on and delivered by Substack.SMUDGE! content will not be duplicated on Patreon.
Instead, the Patreon site will feature my novels, essays, fiction and nonfiction series (some released as serials), a smattering of poetry, lots of photos (including, of course, pet pics!). Travel, adventure, escape are all included!
A Special Invitation (and request) for SMUDGE! Readers
My Patreon is live, but still in its very early stages. The official public launch date is the Summer Solstice weekend. So over the next two weeks, I’ll be uploading more content and preparing for the ‘Big Event.’
As a loyal reader of SMUDGE!, you are invited to take an early, pre-launch, advanced look at the site.
Please set aside some time to visit. Your eyes will be among the first to see what’s there and what’s to come. It’s not quite ready for prime time, but as loyal readers you already know the level of quality I offer and what you can expect long-term from me.
After this “soft” launch, the “official” public launch in two weeks will bring my work to new readers, possibly for the first time. I want the site to look clean, enticing, and already trafficked.
And that’s where I need your help. People who don’t know me will likely be reluctant to sign up if the site doesn’t reflect a readership. I’m asking you to become a member.
A free membership will give you a sampling of everything available and will serve to show the public that I have a following.
If you like what you see, becoming a patron of the arts with a paid subscription gives you access to everything there now and in the future, plus many extras. Please review the various membership tiers.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of your participation in assisting me to Escape the Patriarchal Publishing model. Together, we can form new paradigms for everything we value in life. Let’s make this the best Summer Break (Away) ever!
As always, I am grateful for you.
☮️ and ♥️, Shelley
Of course I support you in your efforts here. I briefly went to Patreon and will be going back there regularly. I am grateful for you in my life and always wish you the best. Much love. Pam