Crazy for Summer!

by G. E. Shuman

To me, there is something simply stupendous in the whole idea of summer. It is the 'coming of age' of the tiny blossoms of spring; the intensifying, from early spring samples, of the warmth and wonder in the whole world of nature; the confirmation of what I consider to be the true arrival of 'good' days. From my perspective, at least for the next few months, there is no such thing as too much sun, too many flowers, or too large a crop of fresh fruits and vegetables abounding on plants and vines. (I just reread those first sentences, and know they sound a little crazy, but I love summer, and we are now “smack-dab in the middle of it” as people used to say. So don't make fun of me.)

I do get overheated when doing outdoor summer chores, like mowing, or washing the cars. At those times I try to remember how cold my feet and hands get when I'm shoveling snow or scraping the windshields of those now sun-drenched, soapy vehicles. Such thoughts seem to help a bit. Also, during summer, if my home seems a little too warm inside, I sometimes close my eyes and imagine how good such warmth would feel if a howling, zero-degree wind was blasting right outside my windows. The warmth then seems a pretty cool thing to have. Those of you who have been reading my articles for a while should try it, if only to confirm your conviction of my loosening grip on reality.

I also love the beach. I really do. Although an ocean beach is best, any time beside the water is wonderful, whether that water be the edge of the mighty Atlantic, or that of some small pond or lake. My tiny sailboat likes small ponds best; my fishing rod is more at home casting out into salt water waves, and my feet love walking the sand of the shores of either one. Still, there are few things more satisfying than the feel of the sun, and the wind-born scent of the ocean, well-mixed with that of coconut-oil or Coppertone. It is right to mention here that coconut-oil and Coppertone do accent some earthly bodies better than they do others. For some strange reason I felt compelled to point that out, as if you didn't already know it. Oh well.

To further confirm my slightly overboard love of summer, I believe that there is also something nearly magical about the fires of summer. (I used the word magical, and I'm not even at Disney World. Perhaps I AM crazy.) I'm sure that cookouts have attracted crowds since caveman days; and campfires the same. My mother has always said that anything tastes better when cooked outdoors. I believe that, and I would love the idea of it even if I didn't believe it. Barbecue pits and bonfires; tiki torches and gas lanterns; fourth of July fireworks and even fireflies all have their places in the spectacular fires of summer.

Then, even when considering life's storms, those of summertime always seem bigger and better, to me. Winter storms are mostly silent, and even tend to quiet the world, with their sound-muffling fluffy-flurry coverings. Summer storms simply come crashing and pouring down, with giant booms and fantastically frightening lightening. (Yes, there really may be something wrong with me.) And, those great summer storms also leave on their own, without the work of shovels and plows to get them gone.

  I hope that we all, here in the North, take in every bit of the bounty and the beauty of summer, while we have it. Spring was a wet one, and the leaves and plants seem bigger and brighter than ever this year. Get out there and enjoy this sizzling season, dear readers. Smell the roses, but don't 'stop' to do it. Before you know it, those bright lawn canopies and beach umbrellas will be replaced by boat covers and wood-pile tarps; the picnic baskets by school lunch boxes, and the green grass by fallen, golden leaves. As crazy as it sounds, that's okay, too. By that time I will be willing to trade in my strawberry shortcake for a fresh-baked apple or pumpkin pie... but not quite yet. How about you?  

Five Things You Can Do to Improve Your Health in the Next Sixty Days

by G. E. Shuman

Dear Readers; I wrote this article a few days ago for a health magazine. I'm sharing it with you now, because I care about your health. (Like I'm an expert, and like this has nothing to do with the fact that my submission deadline is fast-approaching.) Seriously, although 'seriously' is a word I have trouble with, try these suggestions, and feel great by the time the kids go back to school. Enjoy!

Improving your health does not have to be a complicated or expensive proposition. Contrary to media ads, there are no potions or pills, pre-packaged diet foods or pieces of exercise equipment that will do more for your health than simply taking a common-sense approach to healthy living. The following suggestions will cost you nothing, and, along with improving your health, will actually save you money. (Noted by: $) Give them a try. Start with suggestions 1-4 first, and check the results with suggestion number five. I would wish you good luck, but if you follow these tips, you won't need luck.

Thing number 1.

Get rest. All living things need rest. You may have noticed that animals go to sleep soon after the sun goes down. Animals never invented electric lighting and electronic screens to stretch their day far into their natural sleep period, as we humans did. We seem to think that shortening our nights lengthens our days. Unfortunately, doing so may actually shorten our NUMBER of days. A very wise person once told me that the best time to go to bed is when you are tired. I liked that advice so much that I married that person, over forty years ago. We still sleep very well, thank you, and don't burn the lights far into the night. ($)

Thing 2.

Get going! Doctors agree that some of the best exercise a person can get is in simply walking more. Since we humans were designed for walking, that idea seems to make sense to me. We were not designed so much for steppers, treadmills and stationary bikes. Throw those out. No, don't do that. Sell them on your yard sale, ($) and get some comfortable shorts and a good pair of sneakers. Then get out in the fresh air and sunshine. Enjoy the scenery, and soak up that oxygen and those solar vitamins. Hint: Thing 2 will also make thing number 1 much easier to do.

Thing 3.

Get off the junk food and candy. Not to seem UN-American, but one of the best and simplest things you can do for your health is to drive past the King, the big chicken bucket sign, and those old golden arches. (Is it my imagination, or are those arches shaped just like big french fries?) Eating fast food, if done in moderation, will probably not kill you. It might just make you fat and unhealthy. Replace all those carbs and calories with a salad and a piece of fruit at home, at least occasionally. ($) Your body and your bowels will thank you. Also, did you know that you would have to walk the length of a football field to burn off the calories in ONE M&M? I saw that on the news recently, and that idea alone has made it much easier for me to resist those little chocolate-colored bags in the checkout line. ($). (Also, I hate walking on football fields.) One other little health tip that I will throw in for free is one my doctor suggested to me years ago, right after taking my blood pressure. He simply looked at me and said: “Take the salt shaker off the table.” I could have added: “And take the french fry out of my mouth?”

Thing 4.

Get rid of a bad habit. This 'thing' may be much easier to say than to do. Still, everyone knows that smoking will kill you, too much alcohol will pickle your liver and overeating is probably no better for you than either of those first two. Conquering any one of those three things is worth the effort. You will feel better, live longer, and your wallet will be MUCH fuller. ($$$$)

Thing 5.

Get a checkup. Along with checking your blood pressure, weight, and general physical condition, your doctor can run a simple blood screening to check your blood sugar, your cholesterol, your liver function, and other factors in your overall health. Schedule this appointment for sixty days from now, and begin working on things 1-4 today. Then, later this summer, when you get the results of your tests, you and your doctor will both be smiling.