The Long Harsh Winter
After a long harsh Minnesota winter, there is no season I like better than the long, hot days of summer, and summer is the perfect time to get together with friends and family, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Active Summers
There are many things to do in the summer in Minnesota. Since our winters are so long and harsh, Minnesotans really take their summers seriously. We have to, because it doesn’t last very long. The lakes are usually packed with people on the beaches, or walking and running around them to get their exercise in. Fishing is also really big. Thousands of people go up north and go fishing. I have never been much of a fisherman myself, but it’s one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes. Let’s not forget about the boys of summer. It’s always great to take in a Minnesota Twins baseball game. A hot dog, with mustard and sauerkraut, now that’s good eating.
Summer Memories
Summer is my absolute favorite time of year, and I have a ton of memories of summers past, from every chapter in my life. School is out, and it’s time for some real fun. As a young kid, I remember going to camp, the endless hours of playing ball, all kinds of ball like, baseball, basketball and football, and having to get out of the way when cars came down the street, or down the alley where we happened to be playing. Spending the whole day at the park, playing games, and hanging out with my friends. Also, there were the family gatherings at the homes of relatives. Later as a teen, I now had a summer job, so now I had some real money to spend in my pockets. I remember the summer neighborhood celebrations, going to movies, and drive-ins, working out for football trying to get ready for what we called, “Hell Week”, because the first week of practice was so hard, it was hell. I also remember sitting outside, and listening to the music that was coming from a few houses down. They would be gathered in the back, and would have their speakers in the windows to be able to hear it from outside. I remember going on little dates to the movies downtown, and hoping I didn’t run into anyone I knew, because people liked to be in your business. Just countless memories of summer times past.
Adulthood Summer Memories
Even as an adult, I still have memories of past summers of my adult years. Picnics at the park with a social group, I was part of, or going to the zoo, or the fair. Going on walks around one our many lakes, or just going for a drive on a nice Saturday afternoon. Also, some of the summer neighborhood, and city celebrations. All of these things are a part of my summer memories as an adult. I think summer activities are even more important to us as adults, because we don’t have the time to enjoy them as much as we did in our youth.
The Magic May Be Gone, But I Still Love Summer
Summer now doesn’t hold the same kind of magic as it did when I was younger, but it is still my favorite season. It is always nice, to be able to get out and enjoy the weather, like going for walks, or maybe a bike ride. Still, though, now being an adult and working full-time, you no longer have the freedom you once had. Now you may take a week, or maybe two off to go on vacation somewhere. A lot of people head for the cabin on weekends. Many people like to barbecue on the weekends, but as an adult, typically, the long lazy days of summer are long past.
The Mystique Of Summer
In my opinion, Summer seems to have a certain mystique about it that the other seasons do not seem to have. There are countless songs that are written about summer. Songs like, Sly and The Family Stone’s, Hot Fun In The Summertime, Summer Madness by Kool & The Gang, Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts, Theme From A Summer Place by Percy Faith, Summer by War, Summer In The City by The Lovin’ Spoonful, and Summertime, by Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, just to name a few. How many songs do you hear about winter, or fall, or even spring. Of course, you hear some, but not as nearly as many as you hear about summer.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
So what does this have to do with the price of tea in Toledo? Well, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
God Is With Us
As we go through life, our circumstances are constantly changing, like the seasons of a year. Sometimes things are going very well, and sometimes, not so well. You will love some seasons that you go through, like I enjoy the summers, while other seasons you are just trying to get past, like winter. Just know that whatever season God allows you to go through, it is for a reason, and God is with us every step of the way, even unto the end of our lives here on this earth, as we know it now. God is with us.
My Favorite Season
As I said previously, summer is my favorite season, but after summer, then comes autumn, with the dreaded winter right around the corner. God will be with us in the summers of our lives, and he will help us through the winters. If it’s time to be born, God will be with us. If it is time to die, God will be with us. If it is time to weep, God will be with us. if it is time to laugh, God will be with us. Whatever it is we are dealing with, good, or not so good, be encouraged, because it is all part of God’s plan, and he will be with you every step of the way.
Pic Of The Post
There is a time for everything and Summer is a time for gathering together. This pic of this post is of a gathering I was at a couple of summers ago. Like I said, summer, at least for me, is the best time to gather together with family, and friends, and this photo represents that. If you would like to view this picture, just click on the, “Pic Of The Post” link.
Please feel free to leave questions, or comments.