Summer began yesterday but the heat arrived early and has been wailing on us for a while now here in southern Ohio. In case you’re new here, I’m not a fan of this season where I live.
I like how green everything is and the act of discovery every day when I check the progress of my flowers is rewarding. I like not worrying so much about how the weather will impact my travels. My wardrobe of summer dresses makes me happy because they’re comfortable and cool. Baby animals, turtles and butterflies make life more interesting. There are lots of events and car shows throughout the season so there’s a lot of free entertainment at our fingertips.
This is all great. The rest of it kind of stinks.
The heat and humidity here make it hard to go outside and enjoy any of those things I mentioned. Then there are the bugs and snakes. And poison ivy, allergies and the endlessly wasteful act of mowing. Plus, summer clothes are ugly and I really hate seeing everyone’s bare feet. The sight of toes in a flip flop makes me cringe. Did I mention that we spend most of our time running from one air conditioned place to the next just to survive?
It’s literally the worst season in Ohio. Next to orange season, of course. That’s when the Ohio Department of Transportation exhibits every orange barrel and cone they own along miles and miles of Ohio’s roads. This season runs approximately from mid-March through Christmas and is nearly pointless but does brighten the roadways, I suppose.
By the way, I never complain about winter so I have license to complain about summer.
I had Juneteenth off from work and a day free to do as I pleased. While I contemplated going out for a midweek adventure, my desire to beat the heat index and be cool won out. With temperatures in the mid nineties and a heat index over 100, I just couldn’t volunteer to leave the house for any reason.
Instead, we stayed inside with the central air on and curtains drawn, watching movies and eating cold things. It was the most relaxing day I’ve had in ages.
The summer solstice has come and gone and now we begin to see every day lose just a little light. While I despise the weather, I better get busy with some adventures. After all, if we wait for perfect conditions to do the things we enjoy, we may never get anything done. We have to make the best of our circumstances and try to enjoy life anyway!
Your garden of wildflowers looks lovely. I’m not a fan of the summer either with the heat and humidity. It’s been awful here this past week. We’re supposed to get some storms today and tomorrow, which will hopefully cut the humidity. Stay cool out there (or rather inside). Linda
Stay cool and safe, my friend. Here’s hoping those storms help your situation. I was just complaining today that spring was so wet we couldn’t get out to do much. Now we need the rain because it’s too dry and hot to enjoy life.
Now that I’m getting older, the summer heat takes its toll on me. We just have to make the best of each day – as it sounds like you did.
The heat takes it out of me too. If I’m outside for any amount of time, I need a nap!
As always, an enchanting read. Nice juxtaposition. Perfect balance. I never liked to go outside in super hot weather myself. So keep up the great work. PS, how is your Father doing?
Thanks Jerry! He’s hanging in there. Getting old ain’t for sissies but he’s managing with my mother’s help. I’ll let him know you inquired about him.
Love the shot of your flowers! We’ve been super hot since May, but getting a wonderful spate of storms through now. It has cooled things considerably. Whew! Yeah, I spend my days mostly in the cool basement.
A basement oasis sounds wonderful and a good storm would be amazing right now. It practically rained for forty days and forty nights this spring but things have dried up with no relief in sight.
All of my established flowers are doing well because I mainly plant native stuff like what you see here. My container plants and the few new things I have put in the ground this spring need a little more help.
Stay cool!