Hello Summer!

     With Memorial Day behind us and another school year coming to an end, it's time to officially roll open the gates to welcome the arrival of Summer.

     There has been many a graduate walking the path to receive their diplomas.  Many a gown, cap and tassel tossed in the air, celebrating a new found freedom.  Good luck to you all!  May you not get caught up in all that glitters and carve your own path.  It's a tough job, but much more rewarding than following the beaten trail.

     I remember when I was little, I thought Summer lasted an entire year.  You went to school for a year and then you got a year off.  Ah, to be free of the binds of being civilized.  To have absolutely no sense of time.  Some members of the male species have been able to master this, but for the rest of us, we have fallen victim to the restraints of the clock and calendar.

     Now is the season for the swimming pool, that has laid dormant for so many months, to be awakened by the constant splash and hoopla of children of all ages.  Our youngest grandson gave our pool a try the other day.  He gave a mighty battle cry at one end of the deck, ran and leaped into the water as far as he could get his small self to travel.  Because of a leak that took place during the long fall and winter months, we had to put a lot of water in our pool this season.  Needless to say, when the young water warrior popped up like a cork from his self proclaimed ritual of being the first person in the pool this year, he didn't stay in there long.  The water temp was only about 75 degrees and that's a tad bit chilly.  

     Warm long days will bring out the master chefs and the scent of burgers on the grill will fill the air.  One of our sons-in-law received a large smoker grill for Christmas, that he immediately assembled in the living room.  He was so excited, we all feared he might fire it up in the house.  Luckily for everyone involved, the first warm day the smoker grill was taken outside and has been sending wafting messages of tasty treats of Summer cookouts ever since.

     Lawn mowers will be busy and since I thought it a good idea to put the weed and feed on my lawn, mine may be working overtime. That is just part of the song Summer sings, along with many an outdoor project so the sounds of hammers, drills and saws can provide a backup tempo for the mower and the weed eater.

     Summertime gives us a chance to get out of the house.  A chance to enjoy some of Mother Nature's finest handiwork.  A time to leave the day to day grind we have created and remember what it's like to relax.  A time to be a kid again.    Get outdoors and help Summer sing, you'll be glad you did.