Dear Reader:

As children of school age… didn’t we all live for summer? It was like Christmas vacation in eternal extension… except no gifts were necessary… no school and loss of rigid routines was gift enough!

I started thinking of all the words that conjure up visions of summer… through children and adult eyes… and historical facts we equate to this season. Here’s my selection!

Today is the Summer solstice… the longest day of the year … so we all need to get outside and enjoy every minute of it… the summer will end on September 20. Children think hot and swimming in summer… adults think hot and air conditioning… and the dreaded monthly electric bill!

The first ” modern” Olympic Games started in the summer of 1896 in Athens, Greece.

Watermelon… loved by both children and adults but Psst! Don’t let children know it is considered a vegetable-not a fruit! ( in the cucumber / vegetable group)

The Eiffel Tower grows six inches each summer due to heat and iron expansion ( I would think possibly more this record-breaking hot temperature summer)

Ice Cream ! Loved by ” children of all ages” -July is National Ice Cream Month.

The first woman’s bathing suit started in the 1800’s -bloomers included.

July is Blueberry Month! Think Maine!!

July is named after Julius Caesar and August is named for Caesar Augustus-nephew of Julius-means ” reverend.”

Mosquitoes… disliked by children and adults equally… my worst enemy as a gardener!

Thunderstorms can be equally exciting and terrifying simultaneously… but tolerated quite well… if they leave much needed rain behind…

For us Lowcountry residents June 1 is the start of Hurricane season… an annual threat made more active by the earth’s warming dilemma -thus warming the waters that trigger more hurricanes… not a good cycle these days -we just have to keep the faith!

So until tomorrow…

And speaking of walking by faith… year after year Harriett Edwards and I met at the Charleston Race for the Cure! Harriett has the most amazing faith as she once again gets her slingshot ready to fight cancer. We both believe in the power of prayer and I would love it… if you would say a prayer for my sister-in-pink, Harriett, She’s giving it her all… let’s do too!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Linda Carson… my first oncology nurse who was the brightest star in the chemo infusion room ( and recent retiree) stopped by with two witty and beautiful gifts.