Mother Nature finally gives us a break

No

one can dispute that this has been the summer to beat all summers past. Hot sunny days, comfortable evenings … sure, we’ve even got to the point where one rare cloudy, misty day finds us complaining only a little bit about it.

Have we forgotten where we live?

It seems Mother Nature has, and if anyone sets her straight, I will hunt them down like a rabid dog. Seriously, though, I cannot recall ever experiencing a season like this. In fact, I don’t even check the weather channel anymore, I just assume it’s going to be a fabulous day. Perhaps there are others like me and that’s why we complain if, heaven forbid, we should have a sprinkling of rain.

But this beautiful weather makes all the daily duties of life more than a little tedious, especially if you’re like me and prefer to be in the great out of doors.

We have three very tall and constantly hungry teenage boys. Having a good supply of grub in the fridge and cupboards is essential in maintaining a parent’s sanity, because the whining of “there’s nothing here to eat” would drive you cracked.

But here’s the problem: in order to get groceries, one must dedicate a specific amount of time inside a supermarket. On a warm, sunny day? Torture me now!

Work days are tough. Remember when we used to reflect about last year’s lovely summer season and say things like, “Yep, that was a good weekend!” Most times, if a hot sunny day was predicted, last-minute holiday time was booked to enjoy it. Not so anymore. Unless you work outside and get to experience this unprecedented summer on a daily basis, sitting at a desk for eight hours is like dangling a piece of bacon in front of a pup but saying, “Now, don’t you dare touch it.” Brutal!

So, when I am not working, every waking minute, and some sleeping time, is spent outside. This week the Olympics are on, but I can’t seem to get into them. That would mean spending coveted pleasant days between four walls and under a roof.

Thankfully, with wireless Internet, I can take the laptop on the deck to check the standings and happenings. But forget sitting inside to watch a full tennis match or track and field event, when one can instead breathe fresh air and hear leaves rustling.

Last week, hubby and I drove across the island to Corner Brook and were so taken by the beauty of our province that several stops were made to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. So inspired we were that we vowed to eventually get salmon licences and hip waders, and plan to spend some time on rivers, like that in the gorgeous town of Appleton.

So, as I write this column, it’s another lovely evening. Not wanting my editor to hunt me down, I am once again sitting in the dark on our front deck, computer in hand, flicking mosquitoes off the screen as I hammer out words expressing how badly I don’t want to go inside.

In fact, when one neighbour joined me for a while, we both commented that with the right blanket, sleeping outside would be just dandy on evenings like this. Not a breath of wind with stars twinkling and tickling the sky? It could be a heck of a lot worse.

I will go in, eventually. But quite wisely, we hit Costco over the weekend so grub complaints should be minimized this week. And unless I’m hard at work, the fresh outdoor air will be filling my lungs.

In fact, I think we should check the almanac each spring and if we see a summer like this coming at us again, let’s lobby to take the full summer off. Or, at the very least, commit to working at a farm, a gardening centre or with landscapers.

And while we’re visiting fantasy land, let’s get Costco to deliver.

Last week, hubby and I drove across the island to Corner Brook and were so taken by the beauty of our province that several stops were made to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.