SUMMER

I can’t be the only one who, on the twenty-first day of June, starts to get anxious about summer being over. Even though I’m mostly retired and travel and vacate nearly as much during the other three seasons, summer will always mean vacations and good times. But every year, from the first official day of summer, I start to fret about it almost being over.  Come the third week in August, I go into panic mode as the sun sets earlier and the evenings get cooler knowing autumn is just around the corner 

There are theoretically, three months to summer:  mid-June to mid-September.  But most of us, even if school was fifty years ago, still think in terms of the school year and summer vacation so it’s really less than three months. That’s not a lot of time to pack in all that summer brings.  

My list of wants combined with the Northeast’s relatively short season means there’s simply not enough time to cover it all. It doesn’t help that this June it also rained almost every single day.

So what is it about summer that is so great?  Being outdoors for starters.  Come November through mid- March, unless you’re a skier and I’ve hung up my skis, we Northeasterners are mostly inside. But in the summer months, you can be outside all the time—unless it’s raining. 

Most spectacularly there are the lakes and the ocean and even the backyard pool to enjoy. Besides the sports that come with being by the water, including sailing and kayaking and swimming, there’s the wonder and beauty of simply sitting beside water either in a lounge chair or a hammock with a good book and a glass of rosé or iced tea—pure heaven.       

But back to the salad days of summer, which are just now beginning. Besides the pleasures that come with the beach or the lake, there’s grilling outdoors followed by dinner on the deck or in the screened in porch alight with candles as the sun goes down. Rocking on the front porch with a friend or that same book and of course, a glass of wine.  There’s also playing golf. Whether you’re ready to go pro or are a duffer, there’s still the joy of being outside in a beautiful place. 

And when not golfing or reading and drinking wine? Outdoor concerts, summer theatre and midweek potluck dinner with friends fill the days and evenings as do celebrating Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day outside with old and new friends..

Perhaps summer is really be a symbol of what I love best, socializing, being outside and enjoying life and all it has to offer.  It is probably also about childhood memories of the beach and the lake and long carefree days when I wasn’t responsible for anyone but myself. Regardless, it is my favorite time of the year, not because I’m able to tan to a beautiful bronze, I freckle, but because more than any other season, it represents the little joys that life brings and reminds me to stop rushing so that I can enjoy them.

Holiday Overload... Well Before the Holidays

by Victoria M. Johnson

In July while hunting for a beach umbrella and chairs, I expected to encounter back-to-school supplies.  I was not prepared to find Halloween decorations on the shelves.  Something about jack-o-lanterns juxtaposed with flip-flops just didn't seem right.  Then in August, while trying to locate summer picnic items—after all plenty of summer still lay ahead—I was shocked to see Thanksgiving items in place of outdoor entertaining necessities.  This disconcerting circumstance wasn't just at one store.  I come across it everywhere: coffee shops already have pumpkin spiced beverages for sale, grocery stores have the Fall merchandise out, and apparel shops have Fall clothing in their windows.  It's still 99 degrees outside!

What's the rush?  Can't we enjoy our summer without the added stress of thinking about school and holidays?  Okay, I get—even though I don't agree with—the back-to-school displays overlapping with Halloween.  Harried parents buying backpacks and lunch boxes may have eager children pulling on their hems saying, "mommy, buy me this costume."  And that harried parent is thinking about saving a shopping trip to buy costumes a month later.  I understand the reasoning behind that.  But Thanksgiving items for sale in August?  Really? 

Now that it is September, I fully expect to hear Christmas carols playing in stores.  And I haven't even discussed the internet ads yet.  Yes, I've seen the first Christmas ebook ad on Twitter.  Ugh.  Too soon, people.  I am happy to read that ebook in November.  But at the moment I want to frolic in the ocean.  Christmas is too stressful to think about in the carefree days of summer. 

I know Christmastime doesn't have to be stressful but it's just that it falls at that time of the year when so much else is happening in life.  Family commitments, work pressure to meet end-of-year targets, and forgotten personal goals we scramble to make an attempt to tackle. On top of this I haven't mentioned how much I get into the spirit of the season.  I like to attend the Christmas pageants of my youngest relatives, attend holiday festivals, and decorate my home for the many visitors who will stop by.  I love to shop, wrap, and give to my loved ones.

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As if all this weren't overload enough, I also happen to adore Christmas movies.  Typically during the season I might watch two in one week.  However, today I found out that the Hallmark Channel has plans to render me useless for the month of December.  They plan 33 new original movies for the 2017 holiday!  What?  How am I supposed to manage that on top of everything else?  I still have movies on my DVR from last season I haven't watched yet.  Click on the image above to see a preview of the new lineup.  (Or click the link here.) This announcement adds anxiety to my holiday planning.  I realize I must start everything sooner.  Perhaps I should bump things up a month to free up my time.  Maybe the retailers have it right.  Maybe the elementary schools could have their Christmas pageants in November, which would move Thanksgiving to October, and Halloween to September.  I think I should begin wrapping gifts now...

Is anyone else feeling rushed with holiday stuff being thrown at you too early?  Or are you happy, yet panicked, that Hallmark has 33 wonderful, uplifting movies coming out this holiday season?  Let me know in the comments below.

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma.  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride and a novella, Hot Hawaiian Christmas. She is also the writer and director of four short films and two micro documentaries.   Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and find her Amazon author page or connect with her on Pinterest and Twitter.

Take Time to Remember

by Fran McNabb

 

From family gatherings to solemn ceremonies—Memorial Day is a dichotomy of feelings.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day set aside to remember those who died in the service of our country. The origins can be traced to the Civil War when General John Logan proclaimed a day be set aside for decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.

                               

Today ceremonies to remember those veterans who lost their lives still take place throughout the country. Many national cemeteries honor the dead by placing American flags by each tombstone. In some cities speeches are given, dinners for veterans are shared, and Americans in general pay homage to our fallen soldiers.

But over the years Memorial Day has taken on another meaning. Unofficially it marks the beginning of summer. Like all holidays, we can’t get away from the commercial side of the day.  Ads encourage us to buy beach chairs and swimsuits, hotdogs and chips, and anything else that will make our weekend enjoyable. There’s nothing wrong with that.

I live on the Gulf Coast, and like so many others I look forward to enjoying a day on the water if the weather cooperates. The local barrier islands lure us to spend the day boating and swimming, and the Sunday before Memorial Day has become the favorite boating day. As I’m writing this, I just changed from my wet bathing suit and my husband is still washing the salt water off the boat. Today the weather was beautiful and the island was packed. It was wonderful to see so many enjoying the island's beauty.

 I hope in the excitement of enjoying the outdoors all of us will take the time to remember the meaning of Memorial Day, a day to honor the veterans who gave their lives while serving our country.

It is the beginning of summer, but it’s also something much, much more meaningful. Take time to remember.

FRAN MCNABB lives along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and looks forward to the warm days of summer to boat, fish, and enjoy the waters of the Mississippi Sound. When not on the water, she’s at her computer penning light romances. Her publishing credits include eight published novels, many of which use the coastal area as their setting. Visit her at  www.FranMcNabb.com or at mcnabbf@bellsouth.net

'TIS THE SEASON!

‘TIS THE SEASON...by Jayne Ormerod

I just scared myself silly when I looked at the calendar…it’s June already!  Summer is 12 days away!  How is it that 2014 is speeding along at a pace faster than California Chrome in the final stretch of the Kentucky Derby?  

But while I very much look forward to warm sunny days and muggy buggy nights and beach time and all that sand and summer stuff, what I don’t look forward to that other season that began June 1…Hurricane Season!  Probably not much of an issue to anyone who doesn’t live---or is planning a vacation--along the coast.  But in case you are within a flip-flop’s throw of the shore this summer, here are a few Hurricane Preparedness Tips you won’t find elsewhere. 

First, of course, be prepared. I was a girl scout, so I long ago assembled the items for my emergency kit as recommended by FEMA, so survival is not an issue.  What is at issue is the things I need to tuck into my beach bag to make the post-storm trials and tribulations a little more enjoyable.

First and foremost is my itty bitty book light!  Lack of electricity for nights on end is part of the “fun” of a week—or longer--without my creature comforts.  It’s near impossible to sleep on those hot humid nights without benefit of a/c, let alone a fan to offer a slight breeze--and don’t believe the advertisements, those little battery-powered “personal” fans do not offer a dang bit of relief!  So I will spend the nights escaping into a fictional world, preferably one set in the middle of a blizzard.

Itty-bitty book light…check!

Next in my Hurricane Beach Bag I will need liquid refreshments.  Not water (that’s part of the survival gear tucked away in the FEMA kit) but something refreshing to tickle my taste buds and relax the stress.  To that end, I have tucked away a few cases of my daily caffeine staple, Diet Coke (which isn’t quite as refreshing without ice but is still a daily requirement).  I've also set aside another basic necessity of life, Cabernet Sauvignon.  A case of it, selected because it best enjoyed at room temperature.

Alternative beverages…check!

Can’t survive the post-hurricane trials without a hammock.  Without a/c in the summer in the south, it’s too hot to sleep indoors (even though I grew up without air conditioning and spent many a summer night wilting in the dark, I can’t sleep when I’m too hot any more.  Must be an age thing.) But even if you do have the air conditioning running full speed, an occasional summer night nestled in a hammock strung between two strong trees under a blanket of stars is good for what ails ya.

Hammock…check!

          

And no survival kit would be complete without CHOCOLATE! Talk about “good for what ails ya!”  Chocolate can sooth the savage beast, calm the post-hurricane stress and provide energy for all that clean-up that awaits after 180+ mph winds knock the leaves off the trees.

           Chocolate…check!

           So after the hurricane hits, while the rest of the world goes about their daily routines, I’ll spend my nights stretched out in the hammock, nibbling chocolate while enjoying a glass of wine and reading a book by a meager light.  Kind of cozy, if you think about it.  Hey, I might not even wait for a hurricane!  

Happy Summer Everyone!!!!