The scarlet days of summer

Wherever did they get the expression cool as a cucumber? Whenever I think of a summer salad, I see as one of the basic ingredients, cukes. It's summertime, and it's anything but cool lately.

According to the latest map, the states are heating up. Fortunately, not in New England, at least weather-wise. Otherwise there is shit in the caboose, as my mother-in-law used to say, problems everywhere. I've noticed that "heat" triggers many short stacks. Like it or not, the heat will be soon upon us. I for one, cannot stand the humid hot nights. There used to be a song about the hazy, lazy, days of summer. Days where you lose your appetite and want to sip on ice  or whatever, barefoot.

What has changed you wonder as the sun is so intense burning your skin mercilessly while the water drips down your forehead? I never used to sweat like this, perhaps, it's my age. I find myself wondering--was it always like this? Or, has something radically changed? Somehow, so much is and has become different.

That's it! It's summertime and the liven is not easy anymore. Maybe we've become the new south, and why not when the snow we had this winter was more than what they got in Alaska.

What happened to the "good 'ole summertime"  maybe that was just a myth. We wait all wintertime for it to get here and here it is--the dog days of summer are back. On snowy freezing days I dream of the beach and ice cream treats. On hot summer days, I think that we are experiencing a  foretaste of another unknown place.

Today, the huge black carpenter ants have retreated after weeks of spraying and battling them inside and outside our home, only to be replaced with the upcoming relentless mosquitoes. Seriously, this is paradise, where else would I want to live, compared to those who battle much worse situations, just check the news.

I have everything, a nice screened-in area with beautiful gardens, you name it--and still I complain. Guess I have the "summertime blues". Why? because we want perfection on this side of the planet and I know that ain't going to happen anytime soon.

So the question remains---Is it worse than ever? Who knows. The good news for New Englander's is we are blessed with changing seasons, one of life's blessings. June has been a busy month for birthdays, fathers day, graduations, weddings, summer camp, and our anniversary. It's time for church picnics and boating, hiking, walking on the beach, vacations on the shore, and so much more. The days are longer, and no winter boots or attire. No shoveling snow and I love my husband's barbequed meats. Concerts begin this Sunday on the common. What can be better than the Summertime?

I wonder what it will be like when my grandchildren get older with the talk of climate change? I remember how hot it was when I was a kid. And yet, it feels so much hotter now. The storms seem to be intensifying as well.

One thing is true.... it's like a song that was sung when I was a young girl. Kay Serra, Serra..whatever will be, will be... the futures not ours to see...Kay Serra, Serra. What will be, will be.