Summer Days

Summer is coming! And I’m so excited!

Now, if you know me, you know this is, frankly, a miracle. I have never loved and longed for summer, as others seem to do. Why not, you ask?

First, it’s hot here in Texas. And I don’t like to be hot. Or to sweat. Or to worry about sunburn on my extremely fair skin.

Second, summer has always been about non-scheduled days. But the truth is that I thrive on schedule. When my kids lived at home, I enjoyed the more fluid summer days for a couple of weeks. But then I itched for routine again!

Third, summer plans often mean time with people. It’s not that I don’t like time with my people. I do! But it seems in the summer that so many days include people that I can get worn out. I find it harder to hibernate and rejuvenate during the long summer days.

Of course there are things I always appreciate about summer. Things like dinner cooked by my husband on the grill, almost constant blue sky and sunshine, and green trees and grass. (Well, green grass until about July here in Texas. Then it is scorched to a more blonde hue.)

But this summer I am excited for several reasons. Here are some of them (in no particular order!):

–unmasking (Can someone shout Hallelujah?)
–attending baseball games in the Texas Rangers’ new air-conditioned stadium
–a research trip for a novel
–my first Historical Novel Society conference (even if it is virtual)
–going to my husband’s hometown to see my in-laws for the first time in several years
–hosting a summer book discussion group with my sister
–a community pool a half block from my house
–spending time with both of my sisters, who are teachers and busy during the school year
–watching fourth of July fireworks from our porch (our house is very near the park where they happen!)
–a couple of possible short trips

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And yes, I’m even looking forward to working this summer, because there are some big changes happening in my author life! I can’t wait to share those with you this fall!

So for the first time in many years, the end of May is not stirring tension in my chest. This year, I’m excited about summer and all its joy-filled days.

What are you looking forward to this summer?