Summer is usually the time for a sun-drenched entrance of bombast and glee, a reflection of the sunny season at last at hand and a celebratory marker of a stretch of ease. That is still the case here, but I’m tempering this early/late beginning with a quieter start, leaving room for build-up and excess later on if we’re still up for it.
The summer season unofficially began last weekend when the Memorial Day holiday opened things up. We would normally have spent that weekend in Ogunquit, but our favored place was booked so we opted to wait a bit. We always missed the opening of the peonies that weekend anyway, so it was nice to be home for such a happy event. Now we can kick-off summer on the blog on this first day of June, extending the season beyond the summer solstice because we need it now. September comes too soon…
The song for this summer post is an old-school Mariah Carey tune, given an intentionally slowed-down twist to ease into things. (Come back for Part 2 and the classic version a bit later.) Some summers begin slowly, requiring room to grow and evolve. We all want sun and beach and sand and warmth instantly, without realizing the joys and charms of these early days. Cool mornings and nights will be the stuff of dreams once the first stretch of heat hits – no need to rush into all of that just yet. A proper summer employs a bit of laziness, some seductive hesitation and holding back. It pauses and waits, unfurling its splendor only when it’s absolutely ready to shine.
This summer will cast its spell both by our pool in upstate NY and in Boston where our BroSox Adventure and a possible Madonna concert (assuming she shows up) are scheduled to take place – between the two there are differing atmospheres, each striking in its own way. Summer in the suburbs is calm and tranquil and easy – lounging by the pool, languidly strolling through the yard, and watering the gardens are how that usually goes. Summer in the city is usually more dramatic and extreme – finding air-conditioned respite in retail, delicately walking through shady nooks and secret gardens in the South End, and drinking endless mocktails in shadowy, cool lounges.
