Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Summertime by Diane Burton



“In the good old summertime…”
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy…”
“It’s summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime…”

Many songs have been written about this season. Some (like the ones above) remind me of bygone days. Days without air conditioning. Lazy days when we’d get our chores done in the cool (relatively cool) mornings. Then we’d do whatever we wanted. I’d grab an old quilt, find a shady spot (usually the north side of the house) and read. I devoured my mom’s books—Anne of Green Gables, Pollyanna, and Nancy Drew. If Mom wasn’t too busy, we’d go to the library where I’d load up on more books.

Hot summers are not my favorite. They mean staying indoors or running from the house to the car to the store and back. I’m not a beach person who lies in the sun encouraging cancer. I used to, though, in my teens and twenties when I was too stupid to know better. Now I’d rather watch the waves on a winter day. The only thing that makes Arizona appealing is our newest grandchild. Okay, her parents, too. LOL

Here in Michigan, we are having an extraordinary summer. I think we’ve only had the AC on three times for short periods. As I write this, it’s 67° F in the middle of the afternoon and a great breeze is blowing through the house. I love this. Beachgoers are not happy. Rain storms come during the night and the days are mostly sunny. Where I live close to Lake Michigan, tornadoes have missed us, thank goodness, although one touched down several miles away. We've even had two earthquakes this summer. Yes, earthquakes in Michigan. Not close enough for us to feel but still . . . Very unusual.

Now 67 is a bit cool. I think Hubs just reached for a sweater. LOL My favorite summer day is 75°, sunny, with a nice breeze. I can work in my garden or sit in the shade and read a book. Things don’t change much, do they?

When Diane Burton isn’t blogging here on the 8th and 30th of each month or on her own site http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/ on Mondays, she’s writing romantic adventure stories that take place on Earth and beyond.

16 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

At the risk of raising the ire of said beachgoers, this sure is my kind of summer. Anything over 78 or 79 degrees and I'm miserable. Water, breezes and books. The perfect summer day. Grandbaby notwithstanding, I agree about AZ as well. Too beige for my tastes. Happy Summer, Diane!

Diane Burton said...

LOL, Margo. Beige is right. So little green. Love this summer. Great sleeping weather, as my mom would say.

Melissa Keir said...

I need good sleeping weather. The dogs are always on top of me. Winter, that's fine but summer...it's too hot.

I do love the sunshine. We miss it so much during the winter. My doc has me on Vitamin D for a deficiency, and she told me that most Michiganders are in need of it. I could do with a little more sun, the cool breezes and the waves lapping. None of those have been my summer!

Jannine Gallant said...

We had a streak of unusually hot weather--over 90 degrees in Tahoe. Very strange. But now it's cooled down to low 70s. Perfect! Lots of afternoon thunder showers. That's pretty typical. I'm just hoping we get enough rain out of those storms to keep the state from burning down around us. California's drought is at epic proportions. Enjoy your summer!

Maris said...

I wish we were having a warmer summer here in Michigan, but I'm glad we've only had a few humid days. The heat doesn't bother me, the humidity does.

Diane Burton said...

Melissa, I never realized how different the weather is in the middle of Michigan (and farther east) compared to the shoreline. I agree about the lack of sunshine in the winter. So depressing.

Diane Burton said...

Jannine, I sure hope you get more rain. We hear about California's drought on the news. Must be difficult with the water restrictions.

Diane Burton said...

I agree Maris about the humidity, although it hasn't been too bad this summer. The wind yesterday was pretty fierce. Waves were around 6' here. No boating, I'd guess.

Patricia Kiyono said...

This has been the perfect summer for me! I'm enjoying these mid-70s temps. I get so much more done when I'm not too hot and not too cold.

Diane Burton said...

Me, too, Patty. It has been great.

Leah St. James said...

Wow, I'd trade for your weather, Diane. We had a month of 90-plus days, hotter than usual for where I live in southeastern Virginia. It's been more normal for the last week or so -- you know, like high 80s. :-) Enjoy your beautiful summer!

Diane Burton said...

This weather is so unusual, Leah. I wish we could send some of it your way.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Don't we love talking about the weather? Comparison, contrast...conflict...fits right into the writer's palette. Give me about 60-65 degrees to sleep in...with an overhead fan and a window or two open. But during the day, give me 70-75 so I can drive my new convertible and don't need a jacket. Seriously, an awesome experience...tunes on...I feel like a teenager again (only without the angst and the zits). I LOVE BEING THIS AGE WITH A CONVERTIBLE!

Diane Burton said...

Love it, Rolynn. I always wanted a convertible--a red Mustang. :)

Lucy Naylor Kubash said...

I actually wish it would warm up a little bit. My tomato plants could use some sun. Living close to Lake Michigan, it's been fairly cool here too most of the summer,although I am happy when I can just open the windows and not turn on the AC. I used to be a beach girl when I was younger, not so much anymore, especially since I just had a small skin cancer removed from my arm. Direct cause of too much sun. But I do love summer and wish it lasted longer.

Diane Burton said...

I didn't think about vegetable plants. Still, I love this cool summer.