In the not-too-distant past, July usually started with another parade which meant marching in full, heavy, all-weather uniforms in hot, humid, muggy weather. I believe that this is a form of torture for musicians. At least, after the parade, the rest of the day was more casual and consequently cooler. And, we all looked forward to a barbecue either at home or having a picnic in a park, which was preferable because it was usually cooler in a park with a wooded area. Lots of trees and damp vegetation. A very nice place to decompress, (and be on the look-out for poison ivy).
The rest of July was usually a lot different. More practice on my trombone, private lessons, park concerts and, later in high school and college, playing (paying) dance jobs on the weekends. Lots of music. And accumulating a lot of variety in experience.
But the most relaxing and satisfying part of July was always unlimited and unrestricted reading. I have loved reading books from the time I first could go to the library and pick out books. This became a lifelong habit. Reading is a lot like breathing to me. I can’t imagine living without it. Another habit on a hot, muggy, summer night, when the temperature stayed in the 80’s, was sleeping on the front porch swing, although I didn’t really sleep very much. Usually I would start a book at 9 or 10:00 at night, and read by flashlight until the sun came up, when I normally finished the book. I read a lot of Zane Grey, Perry Mason, P.G. Wodehouse, and many more during the summer. I liked to pick out an author and read all of his or her books. Who needed TV or video games.
The reading, of course, was usually after a day at a swimming pool. There was one within walking distance and one requiring a bus ride. We opted most of the time for the walking, starting mid-morning and returning home for dinner at 5:00 or so, very hungry and tanned. This was not a bad routine, but it only lasted until I got busy with more music projects in high school and then college. But, early in life, this routine prevented “summer doldrums.” I was never then, and never have been since, bored. I don’t even understand the concept!