Summer Somewhere
Mid-August often brings on a bit of melancholy. This far north, I always consider summer over when August is over despite the notation on my calendar that autumn doesn’t officially begin this year until September 22. The weather could be mild for another two months or snow could be lurking just around the corner. Spring and fall are nice, each have pleasant attributes that I missed when we lived in non-seasonal areas, but summer is, and always has been, my true love. In fact, I find summer to be essential to my physical and mental well-being. I take pleasure in the long days and hot temperatures. I find it to be cathartic and rejuvenating, preparing me for another long, dark, cold winter. And, garden vegetables, flowers, leafy trees and green grass simply make me happy. So, as summer winds down my thoughts begin to drift toward exotic locales. I dream about places steeped in culture and history, but most importantly I envision a place that is very warm and green and waiting to be explo