Hmm... what do I want to write about today? I must say I've had quite the struggle with writers' block lately. It's hard to believe the first half of 2011 is nearly behind us now. Tax season, business at work and our business, as well as some personal family losses since the holidays really left me feeling drained and burnt-out. Thank goodness for several mini-vacations and short-trip getaways with my husband over the past few months. I'm reminded of an illustration Pastor Tommy once gave during a sermon at Towering Oaks Baptist Church in Greeneville, Tennessee. Sometimes you just have to "prime the pump" (speaking of an old-timey hand water pump) before you can expect water to come gushing from the spout. Taking some time to rest, relax and have fun together really has done wonders to replenish energy stores and re-stoke my creative nature.
WELCOME SUMMER!
Now that I'm feeling primed and much more energetic again, summer has arrived here in Florida. Not that there was a drastic overnight change in temperature or atmosphere here in the Tampa Bay area... it all seems to happen gradually. The temperatures start coming out of the occasional winter chill we have, all the flowers and trees burst into bloom, and then suddenly everything looks so green, the heat is sweltering, and the Gulf waters feel more like bath water than refreshing. Humidity is oppressive at times and thunderstorms and heat lightening seem to be almost daily occurrences as rainy season sets in. We're hoping at least "hurricane season" will be very quiet here again this year.
Some things seem to automatically say "Summer's here" to me. Ironic as it sounds, fresh produce is one of those things that always seems to signal the change in seasons. We're fortunate here in Florida to be able to get great produce year-round. Still, there are some fruits and veggies that only seem to come "in season" at certain times, making you appreciate their return after their seasonal absence. Those delicious edibles seem to trigger fond memories for me of happy summers from my childhood, often spent hanging out with my younger sister and daydreaming about what life would ever turn out to be. We grew up in the city limits of an East Tennessee town and summer seemed to "officially arrive" for us when we'd drive out into the country to a produce stand or looking for a farmer selling fresh corn out of the back of his pick-up truck. I remember groaning when my parents would buy dozens and dozens of corn on the cob and we'd end up having a "shucking party" so we could freeze much of it to enjoy later. But the sweet reward would come after all the work and nothing tasted as good as having a few boiled ears with butter melted over them and a little bit of salt. Even a few slices of big, beefsteak tomatoes on the side went well with the garden feast too. Fresh, juicy peaches and watermelon slices were always enjoyed then as well. There was a definite, distinct "taste" of summer.
Now being an adult, I can't look forward to having those few summer months off to day dream and lounge about like I used to. At least the fresh taste of summer can still bring back those wonderful memories though. Happy summer everyone!
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Then followed that beautiful season... Summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
