Sunny: Daily prompt

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A lone buoy

I have always considered it a compliment to be on the receiving end of the phrase, “You have a sunny disposition”.  When I consider it, I think about a bright sunshiny day free of rain and clouds, warm and bright.

However, after just coming inside after my brief lunch break spent on my dock here in sunny, SW FL, I’m having second thoughts.

Being an early riser, the 11 o’clock hour (and often my tummy) heralds my lunch time.  I work from home and all day I’ve been longing for the outdoors.  The sun spills in from my window, casting a warm glow and I can see but a few puffs of cottony clouds slowing passing by.

I send my co-workers an IM telling them it’s that time and I’ll return soon, and I might have even teased them a bit about my yummy leftovers and the lovely, sunny day calling my name.  Hurriedly, I heat up my leftovers, fill my favorite glass with ice cubes and pour in some delicious iced tea, and don my sunglasses and flip flops.

I step outside relishing the initial feel of the heat, since I am coming out of a well air-conditioned (my husband would say too well, but that’s another story) environment. Making my way to my lounge chair, ready to slip off the flips flops, relax and enjoy my lunch, I take in the beauty of the green grass and flower blossoms.

As I reach my chair and sit down, carefully balancing my plate and placing my iced tea on the dock beside me, I accidentally brush against one of the arms of the chair and “yikes” that burns!  Whew, I will have to avoid that area.  Not that easily dissuaded, I get myself situated and begin to eat.  I’m thinking the microwave really wasn’t necessary as my food would have been well heated within minutes out here.

I look around and even the birds flying over seem slow and languishing.  Thinking about my husband who is out today on a fishing guide trip, I wonder if he is finding any breeze and hope for his sake and that of his clients that he is.

After I had eaten my food and downed the entire glass of tea and began munching on ice, I had to call it quits.  The heat was relentless, I was sweating and I had given up all hope for a breeze.  A sunny disposition, huh?  Well, let’s revisit that.   This type of sunny would imply an eerily still, breathless, sweltering, burning heat.

About this time, true to Florida weather pattern, I see a large angry looking cloud forming in the east and I know that before the birds succumb to heat stroke, they will see relief.  As for me, I’m back in the good ole’ AC for now, banging this out before my lunch break is over.

Summarizing summer

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In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “In the Summertime.”

Summer only began on June 21, which was a week ago last Sunday.  I was shocked when I saw someone say something about it being the first day of summer, as I thought we were already deep in the midst of it judging by the temperatures and humidity.  But, I do live in South Florida, so it’s not like I am not fully aware of my lot every year after the winter-less winter and a day or two of Spring.  This year though, the heat is really bothering me. So much so, that if I had the money, I would have a house somewhere up north and retreat there until at least October.

I remember a time when I lived for summer; my favorite place was on the beach; multi colored towel spread in the sand, radio blasting.  Smelling like Hawaiian Tropic I baked in the sun damaging my young, tender, spot free, wrinkle free, skin.  Ah, didn’t I just write a post about unheeded advice?  These days, after several non-benign skin cancer removals, I’m not as likely to be found sunbathing.

When you are school age, summer is synonymous with “no-school” so of course it’s your favorite season.  There is staying up late followed by sleeping in, vacation, summer camp, and many adventures with friends.  Then you grow older and while your children are still in school, you have mixed emotions about summer.  At first, it’s great and you are excitedly planning trips and activities.  Your precious pumpkins will be home with you and you anticipate lots of quality time, family fun and long talks.    Near the end of July however, you are counting down the days until you don’t have to hear “I’m bored” anymore.  That lasts until they don their new school clothes and backpack and head up the walk the first day, and you turn into a puddle of tears because you know you will miss them.

At my age (we will call it the young grandmother age), with no one at home except myself and my love, I am free to pick a season as my favorite for other reasons. Mine, for as long as I can remember has been fall.  I love all seasons and they signify different seasons of life and I thank my Creator for each and every one of them. Most of the time, I am content and can put on my Pollyanna hat and find all the goodness about summer.  Today is not one of those days.

So, here I am, enjoying my beautiful, blossoming plants and green grass as I sit sweating in a lawn chair in the shade, swatting mosquitoes…..waiting for fall.

Next season please

Sure sign of Spring - Robin - Bird

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck 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 cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 A time to gain, 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 silence and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.  Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

 

I’ve been thinking a lot about seasons this week.  It’s so funny how they do parallel our lives.  The bible even says to everything there is a season.

When I’m asked what my favorite season is, I often say fall and winter.  I think this has always been due to the accompanying holidays and knowing I’ll be spending quality time with family and friends.

However, after contemplating it more carefully, I have realized that my favorite season is the one that’s around the corner.  The one that isn’t quite here yet, the one I’m currently longing for.

Take right now, for instance.  We’ve had our fill of winter (some more than others, depending on our locale); the cold, dreariness, the bare trees and raggedly looking lawns and landscapes.  We are ready for spring.  We desire something new; the flowers, the birdsong, a change in the weather, some refreshing showers.

I remember at the end of last summer, I was dreamily desiring the arrival of fall.  I could almost taste the fall flavors of pumpkin and apple cider and smell the cinnamon and feel the slight dip in temperature.  In my mind were visions of scarecrows and carvings and leaves turning and descending to the earth.  It was something to look forward to and thinking about it filled me with anticipation.

When the temperatures began to drop and I began my Christmas shopping, I was already giddy with excitement for winter and the hopes of seeing snow (if I traveled out of my home state).  Bring on the sweaters and scarves and boots.  The love of Christmas and thoughts of enjoying more time with those I care about made me anxious for this glorious season.

And around it goes, year after year, season after season.  I guess the old saying is true, “we always want what we don’t have”.  We eagerly anticipate the next chapter, the next season.

It’s like our Creator to know this would suit us; the changing.  We change; our lives are lived out in seasons.  Our short lived attention spans and longing for more is somewhat satiated by the change in seasons.

So on this last day of winter, I say,  bring on the spring!  May yours be filled with a spring in your step, March madness and April showers, Easter and excitement over things to come and abundant love, joy and peace!

Mitch Teemley

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