Summer

Summer has set in with its usual severity.   Samuel Taylor Coleridge

If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all. Summer. What's nice about stifling heat, sweat, mosquitos and stinging insects. Not my favorite, but I will fill my glass half full of lemonade, sit in the shade and try to count some summer blessings.

School's out. Who can forget that feeling. It's been years, but I still remember. The joy of kickball, pool splashes, sidewalk chalk and the ice cream truck. Street lights and box fans. The freedom of summer. Fourth of July fireworks, sand castles and salt air.

Butterflies. Their magnificent colors painting the garden. Hummingbirds dive bombing each other for a place at the feeder. The smooth brindled bark of crepe myrtles supporting bursts of pink, white and purple blooms.

Summer walks slowed to a sultry saunter. On today's ramble I witnessed a fledgling running after mama, wings fluttering, beak open, chirping. Wanting to be fed. Summer scents. Curtains of honeysuckle and magnolia blossoms hanging in the humid air. Their scents drifting with the scant breeze, luring me to stop. To pause and surround myself with the shade and smells of summer.

So as I sweat and hide in the joy of air conditioners and ceiling fans, I will try my best to say nice things about summer. Slow down. Enjoy. Pay attention. Besides, this morning I spied a fall tinted leaf under a dogwood tree, boldly displaying its scarlet color. Now that was nice. Just sayin....Now for just a little while.