Summer Solstice

   Panting dog basking in the sun, sweet juicy plums to eat, long afternoon naps for children, remnants of the hot summer wind blowing
through an open window at night.  Staying up later than late and hearing the early birds sing.  Watching the sun rise over Lake Michigan, coloring the sky purple, pink, orange.  "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Signs",  "The Talented Mr. Ripley","Stand By Me".  Eating frozen yogurt on the redwood bench next to Rocco's Pizzeria.  Tank tops, flowing skirts, browned skin all summer long.  Catching fireflies, catching memories from summers past.  Long car rides in a station wagon. Water sprinklers, wet swimsuits. Bob Seger playing "Against the wind" somewhere in the distance on the radio.  Finally, a coveted delicious afternoon nap.  F. Scott's Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", "Harper Lee's "to Kill a Mockingbird", and lately novels by Jhumpa Lahiri read and re-read again.   Blue skies, willow trees, giant redwoods, white billowing clouds. Semi-cold beer by campfire.  National Parks--Grand Tetons, Glacier, Arches, Yellowstone.  Hot sand, ocean waves blinding, sparkling from the sun.  Evening moonlit strolls along the beach, gingerly stepping over seaweed, jellyfish.  Yet an early harvest moon creeping over the North Shore pineapple fields.  My favorite season is here.