Thankful for the Seasons

I am enjoying this summer and I think that is because of spending more time outside. Yes, I still spend quite a bit of each day inside of my air-conditioned house but it seems that gardening has gotten me outside more this summer than past summers. I have also been enjoying going for evening walks with my daughter and our dogs. Sometimes I get too cold in the house so I go outside on our deck and soak up some sun. It feels good to feel the hot deck under my feet and the sun toasting my arms and face---for a few minutes. Summer certainly gives me a better appreciation for cool breezes and cold water.

One nice thing about the heat of summer is that inspires us to give ourselves permission to be a little more laid back than usual. I sit down more frequently--on the deck--on the porch. I stay up late sometimes just because I can or I take a little nap during the drowsy heat of the day. I like to work outside in the mornings and even inside and then take things slow and easy until it cools down again. As long as there are refreshing showers close at hand it actually feels really good to sweat. Summer makes us more aware of expending energy and more aware of how good it feels to rest...It is lovely to get up with the sun (which can be hard after those late nights) and exercise or garden or clean house and then look forward to the long day unfolding and revealing its simple sunny pleasures under blue skies---ending the day with contented sighs mingled with the chirping of crickets to serenade us as we stroll beneath a canopy of stars. Yes, we need to be outside and see and hear and smell and touch the earth---and taste of its fruits--it gives us a feeling of wellness and completeness.

It looks like it is getting ready to storm. I have been looking out my window as I type and watching the clouds gather and the trees blow in the wind. I think as an inlander I find as much pleasure in watching the movement of the trees and listening to their leaves move in the breeze as anyone who lives on the coast finds in watching and listening to the ocean.
I just heard some rumblings of thunder. Rainstorms are great in the summer too. I better not get started on how much I love a summer storm...

Happy Summer!