Every year I wait for that moment that tells me Summer Has Arrived. I thought I felt it last Sunday at a swim instructor staff meeting. It was around 6ish, we were huddled near the outdoor pool at the JCC practicing butterfly techniques on land, and a group of young lifeguards passed us (as they were having their summer meeting too). And I just thought, I remember how fun it was to be a young lifeguard and develop friendships with my co-workers and have inside jokes and be at the pool 5 minutes with bed-head and live in my swimsuit and the briskness of morning water. Like I said, I almost had my summer arrival moment.
But I’m for sure having it today. The sun it out FINALLY and weather forecast calls for high 80-degree weather by the afternoon. Birds of all sorts are cherping, tomato plans are glistening with dew drops, and I want to wander around the yard and pull weeds and just feel the sun, listen to morning noises, and smell water and flowers and grass. Summer makes me want to do industrious things at 7:30 in the morning, like pick strawberries or bake pies. It makes me want to take advantage of time and squeeze out every minute by doing something summery.
I have Summer Favorites. What I mean by that is I have a collection of books, activities, movies, and places I only enjoy doing in the summer. For example, I start every summer by reading a Stephen King book (my taste is far more advanced, but we all like to indulge in pink popcorn once in a while). I only appreciate pre-Stand stuff, meaning I don’t like his new stuff. I already tore through Christine and the summer before that, the tiney novelette, Cycle of the Werewolf. Or was it Salem’s Lot? I like the way King captures summer in a small town.
What captures summer for you? I’ve complied a list — some of which I’ve read or watched or done a dozen times; some for the first time.
- American Graffiti. Filmed in San Rafael. I love the music, the storyline, and the fact it all takes place one hot sumemr night. Harrison Ford is like 20 years old in this movie. It’s an era piece, but so evergreen — it’s about the realization of making choices.
- Meatballs. I went to summer camp for about 8 years. When I watch this movie, I am reminded about the complete freedom of leaving home when young and making those once-in-a-lifetime friendships you still ache for today. Plus, all the wacky joking from Bill Murray — how he makes life not seem so serious — has helped shaped my perspective.
- Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. I collect vintage young adult novels from my youth by Judy Blume, Marilyn Sachs, and Beverly Clearly. They have to be the same cover that I had as a kid, preferably beat-up, and Paperback Swap is great for finding the exact edition. Sheila, who hates dogs and boys, rents a summer house and learns to swim in this book.
- Gidget. Life on the beach for short-but-hip Gidget as she learns to surf and fall in love. This novel is so super sweet. It is way under the radar and I highly recommend it if you can get your hands on a copy. I have a 1958 copy that says it costs 25 cents.
- Canning. I picked up this activity last year. There is something so satisfying about using every single vegetable or fruit that comes your way into something yummy. Watching produce rot is a pet peeve of mine.
- Little Friend. By Donna Tartt. I listened to this monsterous novel on CD during a long road trip through Oregon years ago. I thought I didn’t like it, but the story still haunts me so I’m going to re-read it. Summer in the south, snakes and a murder suspect turn the main character, a little tomboy girl, into something of a small town slueth. Also, I loved her first book, The Secret History.
- Embrodery. It’s a craft I can manage without a lot of skill or time. I’ve already done a couple Belgain-like designs on two hammock pillows. I’ve thinking of doing designs on napkins to cover my canning treats.
- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I love deep-thinking food books. They make me eat and food-shop better. I want to hear how Kingsolver and her family survive for one year on the family farm in southern Appalachia. She’s so detailed about asparagas; I can only image the intensity continues up the produce chain. But will they survive??? (I’m guessing they do okay since the book came out).
- Lake Wobegon 1956. Oh, Garrison Keillor. Ever listen to NPR on Sunday and his Prairie Home Companion show? Makes you think you’re living in Minnesota, sitting on the porch with a glass of iced tea, just rocking away in a chair and listening to talk radio. He captures what small town is all about in his books (and radio show).
- Swimming. New book for me (and the title drew me in). I’m leafing through it with hopes it will take me to some small lake with a wood dock, pine trees, peaches, canoes, trips to the grocery store while wearing wet swim trunks and sleeping with only a sheet and light quilt while the crickets cherp.
So what are your summer favorites? I’m dying to hear. How do you know summer is here?
