A Day Like Today

When I pull up ancient, dusty memories from the deepest recesses of my mind, most of them are memories of summertime. I think I cherish and hold on to these great warm weather memories because I just love everything about summer in Cleveland, Ohio...although I'll grant that the season is far too brief.

Today has all the makings of a perfect summer Sunday. I hiked with one of the dogs in a quiet woodland setting wearing short shorts and shirtsleeves. I tended to the riotous flower garden in the back, hoping that with enough water, it will display some beauty amid the chaos in the coming weeks. I poured myself a frosty-cold brew in the late afternoon. I threw a brisket onto the grill, hoping it will slowly meld into a barbecued delight over the next several hours. I have all the components of a veggie-rich caponata on my kitchen counter. Every window in the house is flung wide open. The flag out front is swaying on a not-too-humid breeze. The children next door are playing the radio... so moments of energetic music waft over the fence. I absolutely live for days like this.

Even without central air conditioning, I make it a point to rarely complain about the heat. This season is otherwise too perfect and altogether too fleeting at this northern latitude.

I hope you'll fire up your grill or dare to don your short shorts, or report to your local ice-cream stand and just try to squeeze every bit of awesomeness out of a day like today.