It feels like summer is waning in my area -- there's still much to do

tonight's dessert -- rice pudding under homegrown fruit and runny blackberry-raspberry jam,
inspired by a fruit and custard tart in the bakery case
 at the market the other day

This week I have felt in a rush to get some summer chores finished, as if summer were soon coming to an end. I started washing the heavy part of bedding (quilts, blankets, mattress pads). This will take several dry days to complete, and tomorrow we expect rain. Today I hosed down the seed starting trays for next season. As you know, I've now defrosted the freezers. What I haven't mentioned is I'm also in the process of cleaning up the garage (where the freezers are located). I need to get this one done before storing patio furniture. At least I can work in the garage when it rains this week. Anyway, I'm pushing myself to work faster.

Perhaps it's harvesting apples and pears that has put me into an end-of-summer mindset. Or perhaps it's the turn toward cool and cloudy weather this week. Or maybe it's the changing angle of the sun that is making me think summer is nearly done for my area. I know that warm weather will return after tomorrow and Thursday rain, but somehow summer won't feel the same.

So we are frantically rushing to plan picnics in the park, dinner at the beach, finish painting the deck railing, and having multiple cookouts and BBQs. At least I've been enjoying lots of time outdoors this summer and making lots of fruity desserts. So I won't feel like summer completely passed me by.

There is an upside to feeling rushed to complete projects -- I will work harder, faster, and with greater intent as I do my once-per-summer work. I tend to work more efficiently when faced with a deadline. 

How about you? What are the must-dos on your list for the remainder of summer? Do you have a plan for accomplishing those activities? Or do you just wing it?