Seize Days of Summer
It began on June 20 and is barely behind us. It seems as if it was just a fleeting few weeks ago that the hottest time of the year turned the pages of our calendar to fun and frolic in the sun.
Memorial Day kicked off the period of time that pooltime is prevalent and we said c’est la vie to long sleeves. We embraced the beginning of summer camps, vacation Bible school, outdoor concerts and Chevy Chase-style family ventures and voyages.
By now, you have figured me out – how my mind is ever ambulant in my old age, always ruminating over remarkable memories throughout my life. So buckle up, because here we go again!
The county fairs are now in full swing, but soon we will fix our eyes on the annual excitement of the Indiana State Fair. I remember the days when we didn’t even start school until after Labor Day, largely because 4-Hers would be in Indy, bedding down in the barns with their championship critters. What we refer to as the “dog days” and the final hurrah of educational adjournment is now considered time to return to the climate of the classroom. Yes, the muggiest month out of 12 is now spent back on the school bus. Family reunions and picnics in the park are things of the past, at least until next year. The luminary of long, light days is now more focused on the fast-approaching features of fall. Back in my day, the end of summer meant bidding goodbye to bathing suits and stashing away such seasonal staples as tanning oil and tube tops (which have made their way back into the mainstream of fashion again!) It won’t be long until we are winding down on our wardrobe of sleeveless tops and shorts and shifting gears toward sweaters.
Here I am, languishing over the last days of indulgent doses of Vitamin D. (Fun factoid: more than 90 percent of our vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure!) My memories of summer-themed movies and songs of the ‘70s still remain in my mind like yesterday. Seals and Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” and “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys still hover in my heart. The legendary love story, The Summer of ’42 is still one of my fondest films on the silver screen.
Yes, there is still a generous juncture of fun-filled days ahead, yet I yearn for the days where it lasted longer and into September. So before I bid adieu to my favorite time of year, I’ll just have to set my sights on the superfluous playsomeness and avid adventures ahead. Here’s to embracing the existent accolades of this sun-sational season!
Branna (McCarty) Shores believes that “HOME is where your story begins.” A Noblesville native and proud graduate of NHS and Purdue University, she is a professional speaker, advocate for mental health and work / family balance and retired social worker. Branna is the mother of two grown daughters, six precious grandchildren and wife of one brave husband! Her passions include singing, writing and sharing the lighter side of life through lessons learned, both personally and professionally. She can be contacted at branna18@gmail.com