Hello, my friends. Won't you join me for coffee on the front porch in the morning and dinner on the deck during the evenings? As you know, autumn is my happy place, but as I get older, I am also learning to appreciate the beauty of summer. My summers are probably different than many, and I let that bother me for many years. I don't enjoy the heat and the sun. I don't go to the pool in the afternoon or go out on the boat in the middle of the day. Summer for my family and me takes place in the morning and evening.
When the kids were little, summer mornings were spent outside, playing with balls and bubbles, riding bikes, jumping in a blue plastic pool, and eating breakfast on a dusty picnic table. Evenings meant dinner on the screened-in porch with Daddy, bike rides, basketball, walks down the road, and drippy ice cream on colored cones. The time in between was cozy. We played inside while the world went on outside around us. The hot sun was hidden behind blinds as we gathered on the couch to watch movies and tv shows together.
I used to care when people asked me why we never went to the pool in the afternoon. It bothered me when they asked what we did all day and why we never had suntans. It doesn't anymore. I am so happy that we did summer the way we wanted to. The memories we made and the fun we had together on those hot summer days are some of the best. So...if you need to hear it today...You do You. And don't give a darn what other people think.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Thanks for visiting!
Billie Jo
Good for you doing what you want to do. That's the way it is supposed to be. There is no right or wrong way of doing it.
ReplyDeleteLove that reminder - your schedule & day doesnt need to look like anyone elses!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a magical way with words and I love the way you have just described this part of you life past and present.I am a winter girl,born in the winter and love it.I do not like heat and it does not like me.Pleasantly warm is ok though.Here in my part of Cornwall we are experiencing very HOT ( well hot for us anyway lol ) weather,of course it wont last !!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite memories was at a campground in Georgia where we swam very late afternoon until dark with our parents - Mom couldn't handle too much sun and heat for health reasons. We were all grateful not to worry about too much sun. What's even funnier about this campground was that it was a stopping point on our trip to Disney World that our parents saved for years and yet, we all would have been just as happy staying at that campground. I am still grateful for the sacrifices my parents made to do that trip for us but sometimes the simpler things provide the greater memories.
ReplyDeleteI so remember taking my oldest to the pool in Wyoming on a hot afternoon. I was pregnant with my third baby and I passed out from the heat. All I remember is the sidewalk coming closer to me. Scared daughter to death. Stayed out of the heat then. But I do love the sun.
ReplyDeleteYes! I sunburn far too easily to be outdoors at 1:00 in the afternoon! "You do you" has been so freeing to me! Thankful to learn from you and your experiences.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. We went to a pool with some friends on Sunday and I happily sat under an umbrella in shorts and a t-shirt the entire time. I love the sun, but I do not care to be out in it that's for sure. I'm not a big fan of swimming or the heat. Honestly, heat just makes me grumpy. It was 100 degrees where I live today! I no longer care what people think - I'm doing what's best for me. And good for you for doing the same! Stay cool.
ReplyDeleteIt is so freeing when we finally figure out it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as it works for us. Too bad most of us don't learn it sooner in life.
ReplyDeleteThose summer days sound amazing and you probably didn't realize you were doing your skin a favor by not being under the sun in the worse times. And those are all memories your kids will remember and maybe even pass along with their kids.
ReplyDeleteAh, it did it again - this is Dawn from dawnmariewrites.blogspot.com
DeleteSuch a pretty view! Have to do what works for you.
ReplyDeleteYour days sound great. We left the beach at noon and didn't go back until four. It worked for us and I love the memories of those early evenings on the beach. My mother tanned easily, but I am very fair and sunburn was always an issue. My mother always quoted Noel Coward, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun." You've brought back great memories of my summers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour family was so wise as the incidence of skin cancer today for those who weren’t as sun savvy, will testify.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog. I will follow yours too.
You all are so smart to avoid being out in the midday heat and sun! I used to take my sons in the middle of the day and I always ended up with a heat-caused massive headache. I finally wised up and Maddie and I like to go to the pool late afternoon and evening. Your mornings and evenings sound perfect!
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice! The memories your family has made are priceless and so much better than a suntan!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...yes, be YOU! Everyone has their own style, their own dreams, their own way of doing things, and that's just fine. I admit I forget that sometimes...everyone wants to "fit in" and some people seem comfortable pointing out differences. Sigh...that's for reminding me, it makes me a little stronger! Mary
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo~ The best advise ever!! We all need to learn to be us, because we are perfect just the way we are! I agree wholeheartedly about staying inside when the sun is the hottest. Hot summer afternoons were my kids favorite times to watch summertime movies, craft, play barbies or video games and eat popscicles...I loved those afternoons too. The view from your deck is so beautiful! Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful view! Love your thoughts! Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRampdiary | Fineartandyou | Beautyandfashionfreaks
I liked hearing the stories about your days when the kids were little. I was a stay at home Mom and did so many things different than my friends did. And it was the most wonderful time that I'll always cherish. I smiled when you mentioned you didn't like to go to the pool in the afternoons - for some reason, I never did either. But we always made it to the park and little outings for lunch. Those drippy ice cream cones sure were good, weren't they? I have to say, these are the most enchanting and lovely photos you took. Maybe it's the lighting, but they really are nice.
ReplyDeleteHave a good rest of the week, my friend. Thanks for sharing your memories. : )
~Sheri