Monday, August 19th 11:23 pm
Greetings from the wayward Lobster!
Summer arrived in Chicago this morning. Finally.
Unlike last year when summer seemed to arrive just after Valentine’s Day … this season’s long-awaited arrival, oddly enough, coincided with the first day of school for many children in the area. Mom Nature waited until the third week of August to bestow pool-worthy temperatures upon us – just in time for the kids to be seated at desks instead of splashing around in cool waters like so many fishing line bobbers. What an odd “summer” we’ve had. I think Mom Nature has a bit of a cruel side to her.
Our summer, as for many, has been cool, wet and oddly absent. I’ve had my window air conditioning units running three times in the last 3 months. VERY odd for here. But, mind you – I’m not complaining. Well, okay, I am complaining but half-heartedly.
I’ve missed those warm summery mornings when the air is moist and the scent of warm earth makes me feel like I’m living inside a terrarium … all earthy and wormy. I’ve missed those warm nights – heavy with breezes and the songs of crickets. I’ve missed the sunshine – so white-hot you didn’t really want to go out into it – at least not for very long – but you still would. The bugs only chirp when it’s hot. It’s been oddly silent (except for those damn tree frogs!).
But yet – I’ve enjoyed the coolness. I’ve enjoyed not being a slobber puss of sweat. I’ve enjoyed sleeping under my marshmallow soft comforter in the middle of the summer. I’ve enjoyed not needing 3 showers a day or feeling like I needed to jump back in once I was dried off. I’ve enjoyed not weighing my options between wearing shorts and showing off my cellulite-laden thighs or wearing capris and risking collapsing from heat stroke. I’ve enjoyed not having heat rash!
This is the first summer I can remember where I wore pants, capris and long-sleeved tees – on a regular basis. One where, more than once or twice, I wore a jacket – during the day. As the seasons change I will not have to reintroduce my feet to socks – for all summer long they have been well accustomed to their warmth and coziness.
Yes, to put it mildly – it’s been an odd summer.
And today, with the sun on my face and the yummy earthy smell and the cicadas singing long and loud, I felt like it finally arrived. This week and next are to be in the 80’s with maybe a thunderstorm (or two)! Hello Summer – where have you been?
All of a sudden I want to lie in a hammock and read my favorite summer books from my childhood. I want to make fresh-squeezed lemonade – so tart my face will hurt. I want to go to the beach and walk in warm sand. I want to find a caterpillar and let it tickle my finger with its little suction cup feet.
However, as much as I have looked forward to this season – it is to be short-lived – as I feel Mom Nature may have a few surprises up her sleeve.
Today, just when I was reveling in the niceness of a beautiful summer morning, I happened upon the first hint of autumn at my feet – a scattering of baby acorns across my driveway.
So, I’m adding a new season to this year … even if it’s for a few short weeks. Sumtumn. And it started today.