The Season Of Now

It has finally become warm here in State College; the winter finally retreating with its dreary monotone color palette and being replaced by the deep blues, greens and yellows that seem to bring the world back to life.

It's a time to relax and enjoy the longer evenings with a libation of choice. 

It's a time to get up early and do that early morning exercise routine.

It can be a time to fall in love for either the first or the thousandth time.

It's summer.

I have mostly seen this season through the eyes of an adolescent. When I hear "summer," it's usually synonymous with "break," an interlude to the rest of the yearly toils and generally living care free until fall, when typically, school started again. 

The fact that I reside in a major college town only reinforces the dynamic as the economics of State College are driven by the university.  If you've ever been around the town in the summer versus while school is in session, you become acutely aware that this town can become a low key suburban oasis that hinges on a group of people that care about one another.

I think most people want to leave our cares with our winter clothes and focus on the time at hand, because we know that this season of the sun, great as it is, will not last. 

We vacation in the summer, embracing the relaxing cool, blue waters of the beach or pool.  Maybe fly from the peak of a tire swing into a creek or lake.  We invest in the stories of the blockbuster movies or dive deep into the prose of a favorite new author.

There are those projects around the house that need done; the garden needs tended, and fresh vegetables from the store or garden need grilled.  We enjoy going out to the restaurants and bars that specialize with outdoor seating and seasonal drinks.  Life seems to overflow at times, and it feels like you can sense it in the very air around you.

It's THAT time of year.

A time to take that trip that you wanted to take.  Put time into your projects that you say you want to do, and do them.  Take a lazy day and go to a park and just take in some nature.  Do what feels good to YOU, and feel fulfilled at the end of a summer's night. 

Take pictures of the memories you make, even if you chose not to share them on social media.

Take the chance on something new and different.

Don't look back, and don't second guess yourself.

Enjoy the now. 

Enjoy the summer.