Summer

I love summer. It's my favorite season hands down. I love the warmth, refreshing swims, and especially the light. Because even if you are working, you can enjoy the day and the light - before or after work. One of my favorite things is walking the dogs early in the morning - waking up with the world. Wouldn't it be great if we could at least have the light all year round? I could do without cold and I think I'd be fine. A little, fall-like chill every once and a while would satisfy the need for refreshing air and good sleeping weather.

Anyway, you get the idea. And when I expressed the above sentiment to the family about loving summer Michael said, "But mom, you are working" - as if I didn't get summer.

He's right to some extent. I don't get summer like they do. When school ends, you have this expanse of summer days and endless possibilities sweeping before you like an everlasting dream. But the season is still here and I am not dead yet. Plus I have a couple weeks vacation coming at the beach.

Also, I discovered something. You can go on a mini-vacation after work. I left work one day at 4 p.m. and took the boys to the beach. We stayed for only an hour or so but it was glorious. It was one of those 92 degree days and a good ten degrees cooler at the beach. The temperature was perfect - although it felt cool when we first walked up to the beach from the parking lot. The water was so refreshing. I felt very present enjoying that hour and very blessed to live in this gorgeous state.

I thought to myself, "Could anything make this more perfect - a beer for example?" No, the sun was just the right angle, the warmth on my skin was soothing. PERFECT.

In an aside, I was worried this morning because I lost my blog notebook with all my wonderful ideas I jot down. It's always in my purse and it is missing. Perhaps I left it at work. I'm pretty sure I did. Still, I felt a real loss. If all those humorous ideas are gone, there will be others but those are surely lost because I can't remember. Unrelated thoughts will be an addendum when I find that notebook. Until then, enjoy the most glorious season of all - summer!

UNRELATED THOUGHTS

• When a pack of women walked by me in the graveyard and admired Buster, one of them said, "Pollen?" in regard to the brownish, yellowish smudge on his back. "No, he rolled in something," I called and they recoiled in minor horror. Later I found out it was poop, pure and simple.
• Have an older friend who calls you kiddo. It won't bother you so much when you're in your 40s or older.
• Seen on Honey Dew Donuts sign: Peach Muffins Yahoo
• Boredom stifles creativity.
• I asked Michael, "What are you doing today?" Response: "Mom, it's raining." Duh
• Is it a coincidence that sun rhymes with fun and rain rhymes with pain?
• "Mom, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Michael said this one morning - referring to me making him an egg sandwich. I thought it was funny so I did.
• When I asked Michael about my new painting he said (and I quote), "Mom, we're guys."
• Extreme coupon shopping - I watched a couple buy 35 rolls of paper towels and 50 bags of Cool Ranch Doritos. Why?
• Some of these cool summer mornings/nights I walk by houses literally with dollar bills pouring out their AC window units. Why?
• I told Daniel we had a dog once who only used the dog house once in his life - when he died. Daniel proceeded to tell me it was a "portal." Did any of my loyal readers use that word when you were 8?
• A radio show announced a free trip giveaway to Paris, France. Did they really need to say France? I suppose it could have been Paris, Texas.
• Daniel: "Mom, is your work fun?" "No, sitting in a chair all day is not fun." Daniel: "Hey that's what I do too in school." He then proceeded to tell me about how thinking about Matunuck and Maine helps get him through the school year. "Me too. Me too."
• Rule for living with teenagers: Speak only when spoken to.
• Aren't you glad I found my notebook so you could read all these incredible insights?