Summertime

One of my favorite places in the world, Manor Park, down the street from the house I grew up in.

 

Summer has officially arrived!  And in a big way up here in New York, today I feel like I am melting, yesterday we had a tornado watch.  I was driving home with Terr-bear after running some errands and to our right we had bright blue sunny skies, to the left black clouds and lightning bolts.  I was waiting for Dorothy’s house to swirl over our heads.  Yes, summer is here and it is hot, school is out, kids are everywhere all of the sudden.  It used to be when Terr-bear and I took our midday walks it was us and other Moms or Nanny's with strollers and the retirees all quietly strolling, now...now there is hollering, and laughing and kids running and shouting at each other.  I vacillate between feeling like a total oldster and wanting to shush them or yell, “Slow down!  Watch out!” and completely envying them.  Remember that feeling?  When summer FINALLY arrived and the freedom you felt?  There was this element of magic that the summer brought.  Spending morning til night outside soaking up the sun, swimming until your fingers were prunes and your lips were blue.  Catching fireflies at dusk: an insect whose back lights up, looking like it has just flown out of a fairytale, could only belong to the summer season.  Playing ghost in the graveyard with the other children in the neighborhood, listening for the siren song of the Good Humor truck .  It was all so different from the routine of the rest of the year and yet so familiar.  Even parents seemed to relax into the enchantment of the season, I remember one warm night we were all on my fathers boat and us girls were chanting, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!” in an attempt to get my father to give in and take us to Carvel.  With a glint in his eye he replied, “NO!!! No, it will be an orange moon before I take you to carvel!”  We all looked heavenward and sure enough a huge lovely orange July moon hung in the sky!  During the summer months my father would get home and change out of his suit and tie and would leave “Businessman Daddy” behind and become "Fun Daddy”.  We would all sit on our porch, which was like an outdoor living room and dining room.  My Mother set it up beautifully so it had two seating areas and a dining area, potted pink and white impatiens hung from the eaves and hurricane lamps with candles hung from hooks and adorned the tables.  We’d review the days activities, eat dinner al fresco, and talk until the mosquitoes chased us indoors.  That porch was utterly enchanting and is still one of my favorite places in the world.  

As I got older summer became less fun and it seemed all the magic was sucked out of it.  When I was in my early twenties and starting out in my career there were times I missed out when the whole family would head up to Cape Cod for the week and I would be stuck going from one over air-conditioned ice box store in the mall to the next checking in on all my accounts.  Then when I was commuting in and out of the city I REALLY grew to dislike summer, waiting on the hot train platform in my dark work clothes with the morning sun beating down on me, taking the train that may or may not have AC that day, walking 10 blocks from Grand Central to the store in the thick muggy pea soup that was Manhattan in July.  I had always been a summer girl, I love the heat, the beach, lounging by the pool, wearing sun dresses, bright colors, sandals, summer was MY season.  Not anymore, now it was a hindrance, too hot, too humid, the grimy city smells were amplified in the muggy humidity.  

So today as I was walking with Terr-bear through the park and humming Fresh Prince’s Summertime I asked myself, “Can summer once again feel magical after a certain age?”  I think so.  Now that I am no longer commuting I feel confident I can absolutely start to find some of the old summer magic.   Additionally, less stress and more Terr-bear time equals many opportunities for joy and fun.   However, I also have to be cognizant and aware that while the years fly by, the summer months seem to pick up even more speed.  It is already the end of June, I have to remind myself to savor the warmth, the changeable weather, the breeze off the water.  Therefore, indulge me while I wax poetic on all the wonderful summertime rituals and traditions, new and old, that came time mind while we strolled along the seashore today:

The healing feeling of saltwater on your skin.  BBQ’s with family and the smell of a charcoal grill. Terr-bears joy when his feet first touch the water and the sight of his little legs and arms splashing wildly.  The intoxicating smell of honeysuckle in the warm air and sudden bursts of wildflowers along the road.  Ice cream.  The beautiful act of just floating in the pool.  Lobster rolls and cold beer.  My niece burying my feet in the sand.  The sound of sea gulls overhead.  The sweet tiredness one feels after a day spent in the sun and water.  Hydrangeas and sunflowers exploding into bloom.  The constant symphony of cicadas.  Cool, prickly grass under bare feet.   Bonfires on the beach and bundling up in a sweatshirt while fireworks explode in the sky.  The briny smell of the salt air, the sound of the sea sloshing against the side of a boat and it’s gentle rocking.  The way voices mysteriously carry farther over water so the wind will suddenly carry a far off conversation and whisper it in your ear.  The romance of a sudden and enveloping fog rolling off the sea, the hopeful entreaty of a lighthouse at night and the mournful wail of a foghorn.  A flag proudly and gracefully blowing in the breeze.  Joyriding with all the windows down and the sunroof open while blaring the summer jam.  Adirondack chairs facing the water.  The unique and ubiquitous smell of Coppertone.  Water fights, running through sprinklers and squealing down a slip n’ slide.  

Terr-Bear enjoying the invigorating spray of a few wayward sprinkler showers today: 

 Post cards from friends in far-flung and “exotic” locales like sleep away camp in the Berkshires or vacations at the Grand Canyon and Disneyland.   “Summer Friends”, those friendships forged between Memorial Day and Labor Day that while they lay dormant between September and June were no less important or treasured. 

  

It seemed like so much could happen during those two and half short months, first crushes, first kisses, first heartbreak.  It was as if the break from routine left the door open for a little more frivolity and dalliance.  First summer jobs and the camaraderie you felt to be among “the big kids” and the Independence that came with making and having your own money.  The hum of a fan in a window, the sound of the tides rolling in. Being lulled to sleep in the cozy cocoon of a hammock.  

Ahhh, Summertime, time to sit back and unwind.  Happy summer everyone and may we all experience a few lovely pockets of magic and bliss this summer!

 More from Manor Park.

Comments

[Claire]

That one hit it out of the park. Brilliant! Loved every word of it! and the pictures are amazing! Did you take them?

[Michelle]

I believe you are having a love affair with summer.
Beautifully written, and that from someone who is NOT a fan of the summer and never has been. =)

I first met your clan on that lovely porch. Is it possibly that I was there for Claire's birthday and that your mom made a delicious linguini with asparagus and shrimp dinner? I was in love with that house and with your family!

I am so glad you are feeling magical!

[Manda]

MIchelle yes! You have an excellent memory! That is one of my favorite summer dishes to this day! I am indeed having a love affair with summer, we broke up for a while, he was being a total dirty bastard but now we are once again madly in love!

[Manda]

Yay! I'm so glad you liked it Claire! Yes, I took those pics on my Blackberry today walking around the Manor with Terr-bear, next time I'll have to bring my camera!

[Kat]

Tonight, after moving and cleaning all day, I sat on the porch of our new home. I was contemplating the fact that I felt quite grownup when I saw all these little lights flickering. I literally skipped inside hollering "Ohhh baby!! There are lightening bugs outside!!!" Husband looked at me like I was cra-zay-zy! Couldn't help but be moved my your timing.

[Erin]

Loved your blog and agree wholeheartedly! Much of why I became a teacher is because of the beauty of Larchmont in the summer! Hope to run in to you and Terrance soon!

[Robin]

I love it Mandy. I hope you have a magical and wonderful summer with TerrBear. Thank you for exposing him to all these "pretty" things. Love you!