Well folks, we asked for it and it is here-SUMMER! I promised myself I would not complain after the awful cold, wet winter we had but dang this is HOT!

I have to admit though I do love summer, especially summer in the south. We have the best fresh vegetables you can find anywhere; our gardens are a work of art. There is nothing better than ‘home grown maters’, purple hull peas, and fresh corn. Two nights out of the week a BLT is all that is needed for supper because the tomatoes are the best and it is too hot for anything else. The best part of great home grown veggies is that you can freeze and can them, feeling a touch of summer all year long.

I remember summers when the most important decision I had to make was which swimsuit to wear to the pool, or heck just to lay out in the back yard. Remember the days of a blanket, baby oil mixed with iodine and lemons to give your hair that ‘sun kissed look’ and a transistor radio? A friend of mine recently told me that there was an am radio station that actually told you when to ‘turn so you won’t burn’. Now I do have to admit that was a bit before my time but man does that make me smile. The days when no one ever talked of skin cancer and quite frankly we never thought we could get old. Well guess what, I think I am old!

The idea of laying out in the sun all day is just not something I want to do as often as I did 30 years ago. A day here and there is fine as long as I have Sunscreen number 600 and a hat that could shade a house. Now, I do admit I want a bit of a tan, the truth of the matter is that fat looks…well less fat with some sun. I feel better about myself if I have a little sun or color. But honestly to lay out endlessly in 110 degree heat does absolutely nothing for me. Give me a cool air conditioned place, a good book, a chilled glass of wine, and my Gizmo. Frankly it just does not get any better. Yep, I have turned into my mama. Damn. I say all of this as tongue and cheek but the reality is the sun can be dangerous. I have known too many people that are suffering the consequences of over tanning, burning etc. Skin cancer is no laughing matter and neither are wrinkles.

Summer always reminds me of a more fun and carefree time. Get outside in the morning and only return home in time for supper. Lunch was usually a sandwich on the run. I remember when we lived in College Park and Daddy and I would go out for ice cream after supper and ride over to the airport. We would watch the planes land and take off. It just seemed nothing more exciting than wondering where those big planes had gone and where they would be going. There was the mystery and excitement that one day I would be able to fly somewhere.

Finally, I had summer vacation at the Beach! Loaded up with food for a week. There were no condo’s for us just what would now be called a retro efficiency on the beach  And our dogs…dogs were allowed and we would never dream of leaving them at home. Daddy and I walked the Panama City Beach for miles and on the last night we would always go to Capitan Anderson’s. Boy, what a treat and what a great memory.

Awww, the sweet memories of summers past. Summer is still special. Things move a bit slower, the vegetables are still delicious, and the beaches are beautiful. But dang it is HOT!