The Best Summer Ever

Yesterday Erica and I went to the zoo, and for the first time since, I don't know, ever, the animals were out and active. The zebras were actually walking around, monkeys were jumping in the trees, and even the polar bear was swimming in his pool. Another first, we saw the dancing bears - two brown bears who have been "trained" to show off a little and get a treat in the form of a leg bone. They knew when the zoo employee ( I'm not sure of the right term to use, and wouldn't want to offend anyone...) was approaching - their noses started to twitch and they did a few tricks without prompting, like waving and sitting up. The best part was when the duo did a side-step dance. perfectly in time, only lacking the music. What a treat! I suspect the weather was a factor in the animals appearance. It has been cool for the past few days and that's a wonderful thing in July! But the rain has been consistent, nearly every day so far this summer. Despite that, or maybe because of that, we have had a great summer. It has taken some creative timing of events, but overall the rain has made it cooler, greener, and less time spent watering the lawn and garden. We have been porch sitters much of the summer, each evening after dinner we head out to the front porch, just like my folks used to do, and sit in the same two-seater they did, and enjoy watching the neighborhood. The sad thing - we are the ONLY ones out, and no one else comes out, except our neighbor Bud. No one ventures outside, away from the tv and into the summer evening. I feel sorry for them, missing out on such fun!

For as long as I can remember, the first day of August has always brought a small amount of sadness. Even though my birthday is coming, so is the end of summer, at least for the carefree days of no school, no schedule, just day to day living. The end of summer - and autumn preparing it's arrival - means the end of my garden, the flowers dying away and plants giving up their vigorous growth for conserving energy for the winter. Oohh, that nasty word, winter. My arch enemy! Summer is my season, when I glow and am truly alive. Like my plants, I will too conserve my energy in anticipation of spring, passing the days slowly but knowing that it will appear. But right now, it's only the end of July, and a full month ahead at least of summer weather. We are going to make the best of what's left before school starts.