Welcome back, old friend

Molly and I took some time this week to welcome back an old friend we weren’t sure we’d see again.

She flew in late through lilac petal showers, announced herself under a leaf canopy and smelled of sweet grass.

We opened the windows and put the top down on our little blue bug to beckon her in. We dusted off porch furniture and hauled out rusty fire pits and dusty grills.

Unapologetic at her tardy arrival, she seemed surprised by our extreme relief.

“Of course I came,” she said with the thwack of tennis ball on racquet, stroller wheel on warm cement, creaky swing in park.

But we, who had pictured salt-stained boots and woolen scarves, thick sweaters and corduroys as last day of school attire, honestly weren’t sure.

Having witnessed one of the coldest winters on record, we wondered if we’d ever see our loyal friend.

Twice, we stored our winter coats and had to drag them back out when frost crept up our window panes.

Frost. In May.

And then one morning we cracked our windows open and smelled apple blossoms on the morning breeze. Tentatively, we opened them wider and watched the curtains dance.

We stepped out, barefoot, and walked through cool grass, pulled bikes from racks and pedaled, dined al fresco.

Our old friend arrived just in time. This afternoon, Molly will step off the school bus for the last time as a sophomore; she’ll open her arms wide and say, “Welcome back, summer! We’re so very glad you came.”

It's pretty thrilling every year to see this swimming pool across the street from our house fill up with water. Bring on the swimmers, the splashers, the high dive belly floppers, the chatty moms, the laughing toddlers, the lifeguards, the sunscreen!
It’s pretty thrilling every year to see this swimming pool across the street from our house fill up with water. Bring on the swimmers, the splashers, the high dive belly floppers, the chatty moms, the laughing toddlers, the lifeguards, the sunscreen!
Lilacs
Lilacs are my favorites.
Summer buds
Buds = optimism, joy, summer!
Summer tea garden
We planted a tea garden and bought an iced tea pitcher just for the occasion of summer 2014.
Sun tea
That cute little marigold is a gift from our neighboring middle school. We were so happy to put away our hot chocolate and bring on the iced tea!
Summer views
I like everything about this picture, which I shot from my cute little bug under the watchful eye of a nervous Appleton Police Officer, who wasn’t sure what I had in mind.  Every angle of this picture screams summer from the open roof, to the sparkling river, to the bright-colored playground equipment in the rear view mirror. Ah, summer, we’re so glad to know you!

3 thoughts on “Welcome back, old friend

  1. Thanks for the photo’s. I have also been enjoying the return of summer with my family. Looking forward to your next post.

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