Summer Arrives, For Real This Time

Flower Box on the Deck

We cruised past the summer solstice the other day and now are officially in the season of summer.

I smelled it yesterday while outside. The sweet smell of fresh cut grass baking in the hot mid-day sun mixed with the damp odors of the forest next to the lawn.

I was transported back to my childhood and the hills and fields of upstate New York where I grew up. I loved summer then--and I still do.

I love the heat, the humidity, the smell of summer. The hot sun beating down on me.

The summer flowers are in bloom and I am hearing the cicadas in the trees. In the evening hours, the fireflies are lighting up the canopy of trees that surround my house. I love their twinkling, it makes the dark night trees alive with points of light.

The weather, so far this summer, has been mild. Mornings in the 60's and days topping out in the 80's. The forecast is for some 90's this coming weeks and in my usual brash way I say, "Bring it on!"

Sitting on the deck, enjoying morning coffee, reading the news on the computer--what could be better?

Oh yeah--sitting on the beach with toes in the water after just completing an early morning snorkeling expedition.

Yeah--it is summertime.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD