Summer - Here She Comes

The beginning of a new season walked onto the patio yesterday. I call it the time of “summer parties”.  True, it’s still spring, but the key to the whole idea is having the first grill out. It was spontaneous. The very best kind of party where a mention here and a mention there brought out food and drink, games and laughter. “Come over for burgers after the game.” And they did.  

In all levels of society everywhere the idea of seasonal parties puts one in a certain frame of mind. Summer food for instance. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken or ribs on the grill. Your awesome bbq sauce that you’re not sharing the recipe for – ever. Cold beer, chilled wine and lemonade. Corn on the cob, though the really good stuff doesn’t show up until late July, and bowls full of strawberries. Summer salads and watermelon. I could go on, but I don’t want to wet the keyboard from a happily watering mouth.

Oh – and the party clothes. Shorts. Gotta get them out, try them on, like laying on the bed so I can zip them up kind of trying on. Then looking for the ones with a more belly friendly waist. Can you say “elastic”? Cute tops. I have a light gray t-shirt covered with colorful parrots dashing about. You can almost hear them calling to each other, “Hey, she’s packed on a few pounds over the winter don’t you think, Bertie?” Stupid parrots. Pretty skirts, sun dresses and tank tops. Clever sayings on hubby’s pocket tees.

Lawn furniture hauled up from the basement, scrubbed, arranged just so then tested for their sit worthiness. Flowers and plants from the local nursery lounging in their planters and plastic pots eyeing the furniture and wondering who will buddy up to whom for the parties. The geraniums prefer to sit next to the glass top side tables they've let me know. 

The cover is on the gazebo, but I left the side curtains in the big plastic bag this year. Lots of trouble putting them on the little rings, tying them back and wondering if  the spiders and icky cocoons will find their way into the folds. Puts the party people right off their pasta salad when one of them critters emerges for a bit of sun and frolic.

Parties travel.

Memorial Day at Karen and Ben’s. Glorious appetizers, Bob talk (ask us), Bocce Ball on the lawn and fabulous desserts. Who has the most adorable sandals and don’t  you just love their new wicker patio set? The cats, Simon and Luci, eyeball us then lean in to be petted. Leftovers to go home with for lunch tomorrow. Yum.

Sometimes, like  on the 4^th of July, we’re at the lake. Lots of kids splashing about, lots red, white and blue, lots of sun. We line up for boat rides and then crowd onto the dock when the sun goes down waiting for the fireworks to start. We scratch mosquito bites and swap stories while the wet swimsuits dry on the backs of chairs. Anybody up for watermelon?

Then there’s the annual soccer game at the home of number one son later in the month. In their huge side yard the competition is getting more fierce as the grand kids, nieces and nephews get bigger and meaner. Ha! Just kidding. But the eyelids of the dads and Grandpas flicker a bit now when they think of actually getting out there. Pow! Bam! Oof!

The pool at Mimi’s. Can’t forget that one. Water, water everywhere. Slipping in, sliding down and plunging forth. Shrieks of laughter or sudden silence as your head goes under. A gulp or two of chlorine never hurt anybody. Right? 

Birthdays, Father’s Day, Independence Day, birthdays, Labor Day, birthdays, cake ice cream and a colorful pinata. On and on the glory goes for three full months. Bring on those lazy, crazy, hazy days. 

Yup, the summer parties are on their way. What are yours like?   

Image: Free Digital Photos