Adieu Sweet Summer

I’ve always had a hard time letting go of summer. For as long as I can remember, the last day at the swimming pool before it closed on Labor Day was not a happy one for a little girl growing up in the Midwest. It meant putting away my swimsuit for a whole year! And it hasn’t gotten any better with the passing years.

Floating in our lake cove as gentle breezes ripple the water, the tall oak trees arching into the deep blue sky and the sun warming my face holds special delight for me. It gives me contentment and joy and an appreciation of God’s creation like few things do. Like a child, I still want to trick myself into pretending the summer is not ending. The days are still warm, the sun prickles my skin the way it has since June. The lake water is still just right for floating or swimming. The sunlight still sparkles on the water in a dazzling show that brings tears to my eyes. 

But the sun won’t be tricked. It’s moved just a bit south in the sky and angles differently through the trees now. The leaves won’t be tricked and start to scatter themselves on the lake as I paddle by in the kayak. The air won’t be tricked and battles daily with sultry summer air, promising to push it aside with cooler breezes. So I’ve decided to embrace the end of summer and say goodbye to all the things I love before I turn the page to welcome autumn. Like an early morning kayak on the lake, these are a few of my favorite summer things. 

What would summer be without grilling? Truth be told, we grill almost year around, but especially during the summer. Beef or chicken slathered generously with KC Masterpiece, pork tenderloin and veggies marinated in Mr. Yoshida’s sauce (or a teriyaki substitute) are stand-bys. There are farmers’ markets with fresh produce scattered throughout our area, probably where you live, too. Sometimes supper is just sweet corn. Crab salad with fresh asparagus or tomatoes is great on days too hot to grill. I love summer eating.

This is the first summer in memory that the squirrels, chipmunks or deer haven’t ravaged the flower garden. Usually a battle I lose, the flowers and I were triumphant this year.

Ten miles down a very winding road from us is Nashville (Indiana, not Tennessee), a most interesting little town, home of the Brown County Art Colony and a tourist destination. Some might dare call it a tourist trap. Although we associate Nashville with our summers, it’s open for business year round. In the autumn especially, buses of leaf peepers roll through the Little Smokies as this area is called and stop at Nashville. The streets are lined with shops that sell everything from soup to nuts.

Looking for a solid walnut dining table made in North Carolina? It’s here. Want a Harley Davidson T-shirt—no problem. Homemade fudge, original watercolors, Brown County wine, hand crafted jewelry and leather goods—all part of a day’s excursion. There’s a playhouse with live performances and just north of town in another little burg called Bean Blossom is the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Park.

I visited Nashville last Sunday to take pictures and observe the activity. I was heartened to see a decent crowd of shoppers, which the store owners depend on more than ever, wearing masks and social distancing and hope the very low rate of covid cases continues for Brown County.

In this summer of the pandemic when looking for the good has been challenging at times, the lake has been our life-saver in the truest sense of the word: a beautiful and safe place to shelter-in-place. We are grateful for the little things every day—peaceful moments on the water, grilled brats for lunch, a good book to read on the porch, another day of good health.

Until we turn the calendar again for a better next year, adieu sweet summer…