Relative Something

*this* John W. Hays' take on things and experiences

Posts Tagged ‘summertime

Sunday List

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Yesterday, we enjoyed a classic Sunday at the lake… forgive me for choosing to simply list the ways:

  • wife on the deck powering her way through to the end of a book
  • an inspiring song popping up on the random shuffle of my entire music library
  • the success of a reply to a broadcast message seeking volunteers to occasionally feed horses
  • hummingbirds returning to the freshly filled feeders
  • the ping of an alert informing us of a flood watch issued for overnight at home
  • acorns randomly bouncing on the deck from the branches of the oak tree overhead
  • dew point in the 50sF and air temperature in the low to mid 70s
  • a single loud and clear loon call in the middle of the afternoon
  • meditative progress on sanding out tool marks from a sculpted wood shape

  • using up all the food we brought from home without needing to shop or eat out
  • allowing ourselves an exception to buy fresh corn cobs from a street vendor on the way up
  • mentally winding down a weekend at the lake
  • not leaving until Monday morning to avoid Sunday’s usual travelers returning to their homes
  • sheets and towels washed in advance to facilitate an early morning departure

We head home this morning, where we will learn how wet it got after the series of deluges that rolled over the region while we were up north. Only one of those downpours made it to Hayward. The rest of the time, we enjoyed pleasant mid-August at-the-lake weather.

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Written by johnwhays

August 18, 2025 at 6:00 am

Summertime

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is it possible to know
when we are fully honoring
the best that summer offers
with windows wide open
in short sleeves
and bare feet
fully sun-soaked
amid flowery blossoms
raspberry bushes bending
under the weight of their fruit
smells from the grill
bird songs sailing
on the wind through tree leaves
late hour sunsets
outdoor picnics
echoing laughter
kids out of school
fresh corn on the cob
outfielders chasing fly balls
sunscreen
bug spray
swimming in a lake
napping in a hammock
rumbling thunder
dewdrops of sweat
running down the outside of a glass
long grass
lawn mowers
ice cream trucks
bicycles
skateboards
sidewalk cafes deluxe
festivals of music
folding chairs
beach blankets
campers in tents
splashing in puddles
dancing outdoors on a moonlit night
lightning bugs flashing
hay wagons sagging
sand inside sandals
and this unexpected feeling
everything’s gonna be
alright

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Written by johnwhays

July 11, 2019 at 6:00 am

Spectacularly Pleasant

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We were blessed with a fabulous summer-weather day for our Wildwood Lodge Club annual Fourth of July games. Things started a little slow, with a pickup wiffleball game occupying some of us, while the rest of the folks made their way to the lodge.

The flag was raised to a recorded version of our National Anthem.

Shoes were kicked.

Also, water balloons were tossed (thrown), wet sponges were passed, bodies were spun, and watermelon was handlessly gobbled. Yes, it gets messy.

Greased watermelons were then wrestled toward invisible goal lines.

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Finally, a feast was shared in the lodge.

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After dinner, I played a little guitar around the fire to cap off a spectacular day of events.

The most difficult part of this precious weekend is facing the return to reality that happens today. We drive home this afternoon in a line of holiday traffic to resume our normal weekday duties.

I suppose the plus side of that is, it tends to make days like these all the more special that we get to experience them.

This year will go down as a particularly precious Fourth of July weekend enjoying summer games up at Wildwood with all the families present.

I look forward to dwelling on it for as long as circumstances will allow.

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Written by johnwhays

July 7, 2019 at 8:23 am