Make the most of summer while it lasts

Crestview

After many rainy days in June, I wanted to bring some sunshine to my readers, and now I see the sun has followed.

Summer means an array of beautiful, colourful flowers, new buds breaking free to become leaves on the trees, and shrubs producing blossoms. Plus, vegetables and herbs are added to the soil after careful search and selection from the nursery. Of course, we anticipate lots of sunshine and the warmth in the air.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are the uniform of the day as I sit on my deck surveying what I have planted. Many can relate to this picture. After a long winter of black and white without flowers, bare trees, and blowing snow, anticipation becomes a preoccupation as summer approaches, then suddenly it is here. There are high expectations, so when rain comes and comes, it is a mixed blessing.

Yes, unfortunately, there may be terrible storms and floods as we have just experienced, and summer loses its beauty as the harshness of nature takes over. These are hard times, and the colours of flowers and warmth of the days fade away for a time. The sunshine comes from the hearts of those lending a hand to help and support.

For my story, after much rain, I decided it was time to bring out sunshine through words. I found idioms that convey joy for the season, reflect life and imagery, heat, light, and leisure, which I wanted to share in hopes of bringing some visual imagery into your heart the next time the rain comes

At the beginning of the summer, many experience ‘summer fever’ with the anticipation of the arrival of summer. We long to ‘catch some rays and soak up the sun.’ The expression ‘dog days of summer’ refers to the hottest days of the summer. Then we long to be ‘cool as a cucumber’ as we sit in our air-conditioned homes, sit under a shady tree, or appreciate a fan or breeze moving air against our faces to cool down rather than heat up. Some of us become ‘beach bums,’ an oldie but goodie idiom.

Being outside in fresh air, we become ‘light as the summer breeze.’

I love all these expressions; they are so classic, as I grew up in Winnipeg and heard my parents and friends recite them many times. Perhaps they will bring back memories and help to focus on brighter times when the sunshine leaves just for a moment. So, ‘make hay while the sun shines’ and enjoy all the good weather that comes your way.