Joys of Summer

I love the heat. It's really all I know having lived in Arizona all my life. Even as painful as it gets when it reaches 120 degrees outside, I still love summertime in the desert. Summertime means ice cold lemonade, laying by the pool under an umbrella, watching Ava gain confidence swimming in our pool and trying new tricks. Yesterday evening she shocked me when she did a flip under water and managed to not get water up her nose. She now jumps off the waterfall and swims to the steps with her head under water. Such an amazing difference from last summer.

The summer heat brings intense, beautiful and magical thunderstorms to the desert called monsoons. It begins with a dust storm that travels across the desert through the city and leaves a thick blanket of fog-like dust. Then the rain comes quickly and is usually gone within the hour. And the desert plants come alive to drink the water and release the most amazing scents. The rain water steams off the concrete sidewalks and streets. At times these storms are violent with lightening flashing across the night sky, striking cacti and setting the desert ablaze. This is of course, heartbreaking, but nonetheless a reality.

Summer brings long days of a bright sun, staying outside until 8:00 at night. The early morning heat that streams through the windows act as a natural alarm clock, urging me to get out of bed, (which is not an easy task).

The intense heat of the summer is a great excuse to see lots of movies in a cool theatre, or find refuge in a bookstore while enjoying an ice cold coffee.

Summertime means lots of ice cream and Popsicle's, watermelon, and refreshing salads.

Many residents of Arizona flee to California or to Northern Arizona to escape the heat for a while. Flagstaff is only a 2 hour drive from Phoenix, and California is less than an 8-hour drive away. We'll be fleeing to Wyoming in late July. By then I'm sure we'll be ready for a change in scenery and some cooler temperatures.

Summertime means shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, or a cool, cotton dress or skirt.

The smell of sunscreen always makes me happy for some reason.

Summertime is a great excuse to host lots of BBQ's and swim parties--Kids swimming and making up games in the pool, while the adults play card games, board games, or even drinking games. =)

Summertime is happiness.