Today is Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the US to honor the men and women who’ve died during wartime. In that, it’s a solemn holiday, but conversely, it represents the unofficial beginning summer (which officially starts June 20).
I’ve been looking forward to summer for years…in December, my husband and I moved to the Midwestern part of the United States, after having spent fifteen years in the sun-starved Pacific Northwest. In a good year, we might eke out two sunny months. For this southern California girl, it was an adjustment. I am READY!
So with summer in swing, I’d like to call out my favorite things about the season:
More sun. More light. Warmth. Ahhhh….
Longer days. It stays light well into the evening hours. With more daytime, I get more done and have more opportunity for fun.
Summer fruit. Rainier cherries are my favorite. Bright yellow, they appear in stores for only about a month (July) and are more than twice as expensive as the red Bing cherries, but I love them. I also enjoy apricots, peaches, watermelon.
The abundance and lower price of fresh produce. Much better than the stuff that’s available during the winter. Cheaper too.
Sandals. Love the convenience of grab-and-go shoes.
Pedicures. Silly, but I love the look of polished toenails. Sure I could do my toes year round — but I don’t because I can’t see them when they’re covered by socks and shoes. Pedicures are a summer treat to myself.
“Beach Books.” Like clothing and food, summer reads are lighter fare, perfect for the beach, the pool or just lazing in the backyard. I wrote Reckless in Moonlight to be a summer read.
It takes place during a summer heat wave in southern California.
What are your summer favorites?