Summer.

It has been in the 90s for the last few days. People are moving slowly, and I sleep with the covers off and fan on. Folks go to the movies and feel chilly for a bit.

I've been dripping after biking, running, dancing, and breathing. (In the South, where women "glisten" instead of sweat, "drip" would be so undignified.)

Neighbors bought a grill. We ate on their back porch tonight.

Others down the block eat dinner on the front porch. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums have their appetites once again. Strawberries are happening! The man who sells them is coming to local restaurants, asking patrons if they would like to buy a pint to clear their palates.

Backpacking season begins for me next week.

Biggest birthday celebration in Canada (Bat Mitzvah-esque celebration). More backpacking. More paddling. More climbing and visiting... Summer.

Summer. Sip a lemonade and breathe in the thick air. Watch the sunscreen in the eyes.

Jump off the diving board or dock into chilly water. Take a short inhale from the chilly surprise, then tread while you call out speciality dives for your friends to attempt. "Can opener! Pencil! That guy that walks down the street and doesn't know that he's about to fall into water! Pretend you are a donkey when you jump!" Ah, summer.