Beating the Heat

Ever since I was a young girl, summer has meant freedom to me. I couldn't wait for that final bell of the school year that signaled the end of homework and the beginning of fun. I still revel in the millions of possibilities these sundrenched months hold. It's been hot here in the northwest. In fact, we've experienced record high temperatures, but I still enjoy every sultry minute of it, especially since I have air conditioning. No, you won't hear me complain, because I know summer will be too short lived. I love sporting shorts, sleeveless tops, and sandals. I love seeing my plants flourish in the yard and my window box flowers brilliant with color. I love eating my husband's famous barbecue, drinking my ice tea, and having key lime pie for dessert. I love sunning on the deck while reading. I love going to farmers' markets for the freshest produce. Summer is wonderful! It makes me think of kite flying, picnics in the park, and walks on the beach. Somehow, balmy evenings are romantic to me. Yes, I can truly say "I savor every minute of summer!"

Escape

Summer will soon be in full swing. People everywhere are traveling to fabulous vacation spots, spending a few lazy hours reading by the pool, attending outdoor get-togethers, lounging on the porch, skipping rocks by the creek banks, lazing on the docks, casting lines in the river, wading in the surf, and strolling through gardens.

In the summertime, we tend to take things more slowly, inhale more deeply, and enjoy each day more fully. Summer beckons me to get my suitcase out, pack my sunglasses, tanning lotion, map, sandals, swimwuit, shorts, sundress, and a beach tote. Can't wait to soak up the sun someplace closer to the equator. Not too picky where, just want to have a summertime escape.

Beach Dwelling

In recent years, we've enjoyed many special days at Ocean Shores at our fractional condo. It's located five miles from downtown, near the jetty. We love strolling along the water's edge trying to find seashells while waves crash onto the shore. The days are blissful indeed with the breeze blowing and gulls calling out. Somehow it all adds up to a wonderful kind of calm, especially as the sun begins to set. How relaxing! That's what summer is all about - finding ways to let go, slow down, and enjoy the world around us.

What prettier setting than the beach to gather family and friends together. Each time as we unpack and settle into our condo, work woes and everyday cares wash away like footprints in the rising tide. No busyness, no to-do lists, no "plans," just the simple life.

Over the past three years of ownership, we've invited many friends and family members to share the coastal experience with us. With the additional bedroom and the hide-away couch, not to mention the floor space, we can acccommodate quite a few. There is a journal that stays at the condo for visitors to record their stays. Of course our sons' families have stayed over many times. But others have come over for the day, a night, the weekend, or the entire week: Dale's mom, Don & Kathy, Terry & Lynne, Tony & Mason, Mike & Jane, Marvin & Sharon, Dennis, Gary & Maribeth, Sharon & Dan, and Jami & Marla. We have the belief that if God has blessed you with something, it's one's duty to share it with others. I enjoy doing some entertaining (cooking) for others. The condo has a kitchen with basic amenities. We've served many delicious flavorful meals while at our shore retreat.

Ocean Shores offers natural beauty and almost-untamed atmosphere with its sculpture-like driftwood, tide-pools, changing tides, crabs,and kelp. From grandparents to toddlers, downtown Ocean Shores offers activites galore: putt-putt golf, go-carts, mopeds, theaters, waterpark, carnival rides, horse-back rides, boat rentals, museum, library, ferry rides, shopping, restaurants, ... And of course, there's the option to do absolutely nothing, maybe soak up the sun, revel in breezes, build sand castles, beach comb, build a driftwood fort, play board games, build a bonfire, put puzzles together, watch whales, and enjoy the company of loved ones.

So what are you waiting for? Summer has begun and it's waiting for you to go explore. I hope I've shed some light on the importance of relationships with others as well as the significance of solitude.

Summer Setting

The grass is greener, the sun is brighter, and the days are longer, yes summer is upon us with all its joy and vibrancy. To me, summer means barefoot children playing tag, dashing through sprinklers, and selling lemonade. It means sunny days, blue skies, bountiful gardens, bike rides, beach trips, fresh peaches, tasty watermelon, home-made ice cream, roses, and socializing.

I love these late evenings outdoors on my new back porch deck. My husband stained and hung up our porch swing. My father bought it for me years ago as a house warming present. My parents drove across the U.S. to visit us. We had bought our first home. It had a covered back porch. It bothered him that it didn't have a porch swing. He went out and purchased one and hung it up for me. If you knew my dad, you'd know he's not free with his money. So, the porch swing has a tender place in my heart, knowing that he freely gave this gift to me.

I love looking out my front windows to our lovely garden yard. The window box is starting to mature and fill in nicely. Everything looks so gorgeous and lush right now. Dale does a wonderful job of keeping it looking pristine. He not only mows, he leaf blows the grass, power washes the paths, edges the walkways, trims the bushes, and pulls weeds. Luckily, we have a built-in sprinkler system. All we have to do is program it to come on at certain times and the lawn gets watered automatically.

I associate watermelon with summer. I love eating sweet red watermelon, juice dripping from my mouth and hands, and spitting seeds to my heart's content (only time its O.K. for a lady to spit). Summer is a cause for gatherings. Be sure to take time for friends and family, later on, you won't look back and regret it.

From the Heart

Ahh, sunny days. Taking a trip down memory lane of summers past: Makes me think of catching lightning bugs in the yard at sunset - I'd place them in some grass in an old clean jelly jar with holes punched in the lid. Makes me think of catching June bugs - I'd tie a string to one leg and it would fly around in circles. Makes me think of buttercups making my nose yellow. Makes me think of playing hopscotch on chalked sidewalks. Makes me think of eating popsicles and playing Frisbee. Makes me think of laying out in the sun hoping to tan, but only burning. Makes me think of sitting around a campfire at night. Makes me think of eating ice cold watermelon and spitting seeds on the ground. Makes me think of homemade ice cream. Makes me think of fresh strawberry pie. Makes me think of a pitcher of homemade lemonade. Makes me think of swinging on the porch swing. Makes me think of painting my toe nails on the front porch. Makes me think of running through the water sprinklers. Makes me think of staying up late and sleeping in. Makes me think of blowing bubbles and wearing shorts and going barefooted. Makes me think of riding my bike without a helmet down hills. Oh, to be a kid again! As you can tell, I love sunny days.

Church Summer Camp

For years, I attended church summer camp growing up, from the time I was about six years old. It was always part of my summer vacation experience. The first couple of years were at Camp Cook Springs in AL. This summer outdoor recreational center had 18 wooded acres with an artesian spring-fed lake and pine needle cushioned trails. You slept in a crude cabin lined with cots while listening to crickets and batting chiggers. You ate in the dining hall filled with rows of wooden tables and birch tree benches. Evening services were held outdoors, each cabin sat on a blanket.

I always looked forward to the fun and entertainment. Activities were organized by a loving group of volunteers and parents. I remember over-scheduled days (7:00am - 11:pm non-stop activities) designed to create order by wearing out the campers. I remember the event signals: clanging bell, taps, and revele. Thoughts that come to mind: swimming, forced hiking, music, arts & crafts (lanyards, macramé, leather wallets), games (4 square, kickball, tag, water balloon toss, pillow fights), drama (improv skits, kangaroo court, "Doctor Doctor"), group discussions, talent shows, mess hall duty, devotionals, chapel, worship, and bible classes. Each day an award was given to the cleanest cabin, the reward was having possession of the coveted stuffed mascot. On the last evening of camp, we had a banquet. A boy could ask a girl to attend and you were allowed to sit by him (it was a big deal). Campers had voted during the week and awards were given: king, queen, prince, princess, most talented, camp comedian, etc... On the last day of camp, we would have our friends sign our autograph book with their address so that we could write to them when we got back home.

Music was a large part of camp. We sang silly fun songs and we sung sacred Christian songs. Fun songs like: Do Your Ears Hang Low, Found a Peanut, B-I-N-G-O, Out in the Woods, Boom Boom Ain't It Great to be Crazy, On Top of Ol' Smoky, My Hat It Has 3 Corners, Head & Shoulders Knees & Toes, and Yes We Have No Bananas. Church songs like: Kumbaya, Joy Down in My Heart, Praise Ye the Lord, If You're Saved & You Know It, Do Lord Remember Me, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, I Am a C I Am a Ch..., Pass It On, So Rise & Shine & Give God the Glory, King of Kings and Lord or Lords, He's Got the Whole World, and This is the Day.

Originally, church summer camp was created to nurture the body, mind, and spirit of youth in a natural setting. It was a setting to teach about Jesus and deepen our walk with Him. Concentrated blocks of time were provided to establish and grow a relationship with the Lord. It gave kids the chance to make new friends, discover interests, and learn about life. It gave a chance to develop personal strength and self-confidence.

It was a period of time away from home, a time to learn from other influences: teachers, counselors, ministers, and friends. For me, it was an enriching childhood experience that contributed to the person I have become today. I have fond memories that I cherish.

For your enjoyment:

Hello Muddah, hello Faddah
Here I am at Camp
Camp is very entertaining
And they say we’ll have some fun if it stops raining

I went hiking with Joe Spivey
He developed poison ivyY
ou remember Leonard Skinner
He got ptomaine poisoning last night after dinner

All the counselors hate the waiters
And the lake has alligators
And the head coach wants no sissies
So he reads to us from something called Ulysses

Now I don’t want this should scare ya’
But my bunkmate has malaria
You remember Jeffery Hardy
They’re about to organize a searching party

Take me home, oh Muddah, Faddah
Take me home, I hate Grenada
Don’t leave me out in the forest where
I might get eaten by a bear

Take me home, I promise I will
Not make noise, or mess the house with
Other boys, oh please don’t make me stay
I’ve been here one whole day

Dearest Fadduh, Darling Muddah
How’s my precious little bruddah
Let me come home if you miss me
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me

Wait a minute, it’s stopped hailing
Guys are swimming, guys are sailing
Playing baseball, gee that’s bettah
Muddah, Faddah kindly disregard this letter.

Summer

Summer is on its way to the NW, and it is a season of delights to be sure. Flowers blooming, birds singing, children playing - signs of life and beauty are all around us. Occasions to celebrate abound, and I do love a good celebration, don't you?

My immediate family recently had a "get-together" in honor of Mother's Day. It was a glorious gathering with my beautiful one year old and four year old granddaughters running around. My husband smoked meat for southern pulled pork sandwiches (delicious). My sons brought me flowers and cards. My husband gave me M&Ms, specially made with my picture on them and words saying #1 Mom and #1 G'ma.

I like to start each day with a grateful heart. I certainly have countless reasons to do so. I'm surrounded with beauty - in my garden, home, and loved ones. All these things are brimming with inspiration.

Recently, we built a new deck, half is covered. Eventually, we will screen that portion to keep out insects. I look forward to finding a quiet sitting place on my back porch where I can relax and soak up the refreshing feel of a true summer.

News: I am so sad to reveal to readers that my father has been diagnosed with acute leukemia and has been given two weeks to two months to live. This has been quite a shock, we've always felt he'd outlive my mother. He will be 82 years old on his birthday. I would covet your prayers at this time. He is a believer and an honorable man.