Beech Tree News Network

The first day of summer is Thursday, June 21. Even though the temperatures have been quite warm, I’m enjoying these days. Recently, I’ve wanted to slow down and enjoy some part of each day. A summer day does that to me – I want to relax, especially in the afternoon. A lazy afternoon would be one part of my perfect summer day. What does a perfect summer day look like? Likely, since we like different things, it would look different for each of us.

Many people have expressed thoughts about summer. Some of them are (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/summer):

·       Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. – Henry James

·       People get a little bolder and more wild in summer. You’ve got things going on kabobs, things cooking on the bone. There’s something about standing over a grill or outside with the family that inspires me. – Guy Fieri

·       For me, summer hasn’t really started until tomatoes reappear in local farmers’ markets. – Jose Andres

·       My ideal summer day was reading on the porch. – Harold E. Varmus

·       I spent many a summer early morning with the radio very low, half sleeping and half listening. – Frankie Valli

To find out others’ thoughts about the perfect summer day, I asked friends and family: “For you, what would be the perfect summer day?” Of course, responses were diverse.

·       70 degrees with a light breeze. Not happening here.

·       Hanging out by the pool, grilling out with friends and family.

·       Warm without humidity, a light breeze, and nothing to do all day long. No schedule, no housework. A couple of good friends and some good food, like a cookout. Maybe a fire pit and some music in the evening. All of this can be done alone as well. I’m not too picky. The weather makes or breaks the day.

·       Grilling out or cooking something with friends and family. Playing games and swimming and not having to work the next day!

·       My perfect summer day would include water, sunshine, a nice breeze and a good book.

·       Kayaking and then a picnic with friends.

·       If I walked out my back door and someone had put an in ground pool in my yard! I would sit by it all day!

·       Temperature in the upper 70’s would be a perfect summer day.

·       Spending the day with my girls in Yellowstone National Park.

·       A day of trap shooting.

·       Racing dirt bikes and four wheelers and winning first place.

·       Riding horses, swimming, and playing with my dog.

·       Ride and pittle with my toys and spend time with my people.

·       Pool, cookout and family.

·       Here goes: sleep late – 7 a.m. Go for a run, then jump into the pool to cool off. Get a shower. Eat eggs, biscuit, gravy and sausage. Go to beach and read a good book – like Three Musketeers. Go shower, go to dinner – filet mignon with buttered baked potato. Finish off by listening to waves from balcony while sipping a bourbon and coke. An alternate good summer day would involve certain political figures and government officials going to jail.

·       Walk, swim, nap, and hang out with friends.

·       A time when all work is done, the press of humanity is absent, the realization of good in the world is strong, and when peace and prosperity flourish. Think beautiful sunset, day’s warmth cooling, breezes drifting over skin, moon and stars showing in twilight sky, and the comfort of family to share the experience.

·       Having a picnic with watermelon with my family and our dog at the cabin – or really anywhere.

·       Catching Bass over 10 pounds.

·       I can’t choose one! (1) Riding 4-wheelers and hiking at the cabin. (2) Being on the pontoon. (3) Having my chair on the edge of the ocean, reading a book, and watching my daughter play in the waves.

·       Laying on the beach relaxing.

·       Enjoying the day under a shade tree, picnicking. Having the windows up in the house, and swimming in the pool.

·       Poolside!

·       I love the beach! I also love to mow the yard and work in my flower beds. Working in the garden with my dad is at the top of my list, too.

For me, the perfect summer day would be a clear, breezy day with the temperature in the low to mid 80’s. I would start with a walk, followed by a shower then breakfast on my deck. I would want to finish any tasks in the morning hours. The afternoon would be a lazy one – either reading, watching a movie or binge watching a program. I would enjoy having dinner with my family and would end the day by catching the 10:00 news and reading in bed. My perfect day would be uncomplicated and peaceful.

Sam Keen said, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/summer). Although we haven’t reached deep summer, I think Mr. Keen was right. Summer heat and humidity drains one’s energy, making rest acceptable. If a perfect summer day did exist, surely it would include a bit of laziness.