“Summertime and the Living is Easy”
“Behold! On Mother earth the growing fields!
Behold the promise of her fruitfulness!
Truly, her power she gives us.
Give thanks to Mother Earth who lives here…”
~Pawnee Hako Ceremony
“The heavens bespeak the glory of God.
The firmament ablaze, a text of {God’s} works.
Dawn whispers to sunset
Dark to dark the word passes, glory, glory…”
~Daniel Berrigan
Some friends of mine are gathering today to celebrate the Solstice, the official beginning of summer. The Farmer’s Markets overflow with early-ripened fruits and vegetables, pushed ahead by the hot temperatures of May. In Alabama
Russell Baker, Pulitzer Prize winning author and fellow Southerner, wrote, “Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” For who does not like summer? Don’t we all associate it with freedom, with fun and games, with frolicking in the woods and on the beaches, with staying up late and sleeping in, even when we know we have to get up and go to work? Who does not like the world in bloom, though it makes us sneeze and wheeze; or the sound of a late afternoon thunder storm pounding on the roof, albeit we in Alabama
Here are some things I love about summer. I love the lighter, looser clothing, and going barefooted most of the time. I love the sound of the cicadas’ song at night, and the extra hours of daylight. I love waking up early, with the sun shining and birds singing, and knowing I have a long, precious day ahead to use up anyway I choose. I love walking with my dogs in the cool of the morning and watching the sleepy world come to life. I love eating red ripe tomatoes right off the vine, and watermelon and sugar-snap peas that give that satisfying crunch when I bite in. I love swimming laps in sun-warmed water and having a cold glass of wine on my porch with the ceiling fans going like crazy. I love summer even though it makes me suffer. How about you? What do you love about summer?
In all things give thanks,
Jane
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