The dog days of summer are here, my friends.  Yes, it’s hot out, but there are still some days where a cool morning or evening breeze makes me close my eyes, take a deep breath, and be thankful to be a resident on this big, blue planet we call home.

I have several summertime traditions, built over a lifetime of experiences.  These are “highlights” that I like to enjoy each year, and the list is ever-changing and growing.  To me, it’s just not summer until most of these things take place.  Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order):

• Spend an afternoon pounding blue crab with family and friends (and a cold pitcher of beer)
• Eating some fresh sweet corn from Mrs. Williams’ produce stand
• A late-night ice cream run to “Sweetsie’s”
• Sitting on my front porch after dinner, watching the cars go by on Main Street
• Clear Spring Carnival Week (for a country ham sandwich and hand-cut French fries)
• A tall glass of iced tea (not too sweet!)
• Sitting in the sun to warm up after a refreshing dip in a cool swimming pool
• A big helping of Aunt Bonnie’s macaroni salad
• Fireflies (we call them “lightning bugs”) rising from the lawn at dusk
• A good, flavorful, homegrown tomato
• One decent sunburn
• Mom’s fried patty-pan squash
• Watching the town fireworks from my back patio on Independence Day
• A baseball game at Camden Yards
• A summer thunderstorm
• A big hunk of juicy watermelon

 

What’s on your list of summer “must haves?”  Drop me a line in the comment section below.