Hey Cousin Butchie,

It's about five weeks before prep school classes start again, and I am bored out of my mind. I've done everything on my bucket list for the summer, and now I just watch the daytime game shows and play video games.

Any suggestions?

Waldo

Dear Waldo,

I'm pretty much feeling the same way you do.  I decided to ask my Uncle RJ for his ideas.  He went on for over an hour so I'll condense it. However...Waldo, your problem has become my problem because I realize that Uncle RJ had hit a few blind spots in my thinking.

So...Here are a few suggestions:

You probably have an elderly grandparent or other relative who is housebound or in a nursing home. Take some time to visit these relatives.  They respond very well to visit from relatives, and Uncle RJ says that some families don't even bother to visit during the holidays. 

Another suggestion was that I (you) surprise some older person in your neighborhood by mowing his/her lawn. If you don't move quickly, you can also shovel the snow.  Under no circumstances take any payment-- unless someone bakes you an apple pie or sneaks you a beer.

You could also bring tears to your mother's eyes and clean your room-- not just rearranging the piles of clothes, etc., but organizing things so she doesn't need to lock the door to your room when company visits.

I'm sure you get the idea. I did, and maybe I'll run into you at Bridgeway or River's Edge Nursing/Rehab Centers.