This used to be sky above Germany, for about the last six weeks or so. Grey, grey, grey. Lots of rain. People undigging woolly sweaters from their wardrobes and wearing them when it got just too cold for cotton. I’m not kidding!
It’s only since last Sunday that the skies have cleared up and it’s nice and sunny. I can’t tell you how much I’d been missing the sunshine!
It’s probably human nature to long for what we don’t have right now: Some cool winds and rainshowers in a heat wave, and blue skies and warm sunshine during a cold spell. (more…)
Do you wear a hat in the summer? Now I’m not talking about one of the glorious 
Finally, it appears as if summer (or a belated spring) has arrived in much of the northern United States. Seemingly within minutes of the warmup, one of the major rites of summer occurred: all of the local restaurants opened up their outdoor dining areas. A few lucky restaurants actually have rooftop dining or a secluded back area. But for most of the restaurants, outdoor dining means a few tables placed between the sidewalk and the street.
And no, even though I am an avid fan of Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody mysteries, I’m not talking about whiskey and soda. For me, during this unbelievably hot and humid summer, my refreshing beverage of choice has been iced tea (or do you say ice tea?).
It’s the time of the year again that shopping malls and boutiques become a danger zone. I avoid them as much as I can. I keep telling myself: Yes, many lovely pieces of clothing are dramatically reduced, but I’ve bought enough clothes this summer, thankyouverymuch. If I buy any more, I won’t be able to do them justice this year, especially since there is only another month or two of warm summer weather left. And for next year I will want to buy some items that are of the latest fashion then. 
I’m a huge fan of almost every summer fruit, and have been enjoying a great many of them this summer. A few weeks back Lynn posted about her experiences with 
The minute the weather turns hot and humid, my food cravings change. I no longer want homemade soups and stews, and the comforting carb-filled foods of winter. I want salads!
Spring, autumn, winter, all of them have their special joys for me. I love seeing the new growth of flowers, the changing colors, the stark beauty of bare trees and snow. However, I have to confess that summer is a tough one. Maybe it’s the red hair and pale skin with affinity to 10,000 SPF sunblock that does it, but I’ve always had a hard time with summer. I just wilt in the heat. As much as I love going to the beach, the sea and the breeze just aren’t enough to save me.
Summer heat makes me wilt quickly, but even if it is hot as blazes, this time of year is the perfect time to hit the farmers’ market. I’m one of those folks who shows up at the local market early in the season when the first pale mixed greens are coming out, and I’m one of the last to leave in winter (here in VA, we can get fresh produce almost up until Christmas).
