UNIVERSAL SIGNS OF SUMMER

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” 

~ Henry James

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that winter is a bit of struggle for me.  Primarily because I loathe being cold for long periods of time.  So...yeah.  I do my best not to complain about it.  But, if I'm being honest, I probably do a C+/B- job when all is said and done.  Summer, however.  Summer is what I live for.  I love the freedom of being outside all day, leaving shoes off and doors open, late nights and early mornings and a lack of agenda but no shortage of things to do.  I love it all.  And summer training?  I'll take hot and humid over snow and ice any day.  Sure, battling the heat is still tough, but it's a different kind of fight and one that I usually don't mind taking on.  Our family's summers are pretty similar each year.  My girls and I get a few weeks with my side of the family in June and early July.  Then a few weeks with Jeff's side of the family in July and August.  Jeff will go back and forth on the weekends for theses stretches.  Stupid work.  Then we get one blissful week on Lake Winnipesaukee with just the four of us.  And finally, a few weeks of camp for the girls and a staycation for me towards the end before my works starts up again in late August.  All of it is awesome and we are ridiculously lucky.  I suppose it's also worth noting that summer wouldn't be nearly as good if it was like this all the time, so I do appreciate the winter for that alone.  Every summer we move around a lot, driving from place to place and living out of suitcases.  But every year I notice the same patterns; signs that summer is in full swing and life is good.  Really good.  Below are a few of my favorites.  May they never change.  Happy summer!

Shoes out all the time.  All sizes and styles.  Pick whatever fits.  Just make sure to leave a pair for the next person.

Wet towels drying on the porch rail.  Constantly damp as we're often using them again before they ever really get a chance to dry out.

Bikes out all the time.  Same rules as the shoes.  Take what fits and leave one for the next guy.

Watermelon.  Enough said.

Open books scattered throughout the house.  Signs of a better offer when the books are left open and face down.  A librarian's worst nightmare.

Games out and in play all the time.  Our favorite is Yahtzee (not shown here) but Tenzi is a close second.

American flags and red, white and blue bunting everywhere you go.

Drying clothes on the line.  Saving energy and water for the win.

And last, but certainly not least, ICE CREAM every day.

Listen to this:

Shades by The Knocks