Here Comes the Sun by MursBlanc - click image to view more
This past Tuesday, June 21st, was the official first day of summer in the northern hemisphere.
It’s when we get the longest stretch of sunshine we’ll see all year. Traditionally, of course, it means that school is out, family vacations hit their stride, general kicking-back takes place, and about 30 pounds of winter wear is shed. Here are some other suggestions on how you can celebrate the season:
- Summer concerts– It’s also summer concert season, where you can see many a band perform in the open air. Metrowize.com lists the biggies.
- Midsummer Night’s Dream– Take in the classic Shakespeare tale by reading the story, seeing a live performance by your local theatre troupe, or watching one of the film adaptations. Amazon.com offers it as a free e-book for Kindle. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the Kindle program and any book on your PC, iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Blackberry, or android device.
- Decorate with flowers – Flowers are a very popular symbol of Midsummer and many are in full bloom. Snag a bunch for an arrangement in your home and bring some of that sun indoors. Check out this list of summer flowers to learn more.
- Summer fruit – Indulge in the yumtastic sweet fruits that you can only get during this time. Berries, watermelons, and peaches are just waiting for you to bake them, pair them with ice cream, or do a little canning. My favorite online recipe haunt (for the rare occasions I actually produce something edible in this house) is Smitten Kitchen. She’s got an entire category just for summer recipes.
- Jump-start your eco-friendliness – Put that sun to good use! Look into installing solar panels and solar lights, plant shade trees, start a compost bin, and put your clothes out on a line to dry in the fresh, warm air. Earth911.org has 9 ways to get your house in summer mode, including a link to tell you how to make a solar oven.
- Everyone loves a parade – Attend one that celebrates the season, like the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade in the West.
What do you look forward to most about summer?
Tina Jett is an artist, writer, photographer, and world-explorer. Her husband describes her with the phrase, “It’s like she lives in a coloring book.” See how that vision influences the work on her 
OK, so I’m a curmudgeon (spelling??). Summer here means 110 degrees day after day, it’s like a furnace. My body just doesn’t do well in 110 degrees. Yes, we even have a pool, and I do enjoy it – but come mid-July, even the pool is too hot. Kids are out of school, which is both a good and a bad thing, and you always have to be on the watch for rattlesnakes. They go back into hibernation around October, which is when I begin to relax and enjoy life again.
Ah, the Southwest. At least it’s a dry heat! I don’t think I could go back to the muggy Southeastern summers. And bugs. But I will take bugs over rattlesnakes.
I love summer and when it’s hot. We look forward to spending most week-ends over at our little place at the lake and being on the boat and fishing. Plus look forward to family time and cook outs with the kids (who are all grown now). And I still work on my crafting and websites in the summer plus playing the games and interacting on Facebook and Twitter.
A lake house would be awesome. That definitely makes summer worth it. Sounds like fun!