Susan Says . . .

GRAVETTE — It’s been a hot, dry week and we had to water the garden at midweek but a thunderstorm moved in Sunday night and brought a nice rain with much-needed moisture. The blackberries in our fencerow have all dried up but sister Nancy reported finding enough at her home to make a pie. The rose of Sharon and hydrangea are still blooming and I’ve seen a day lily with blossoms atop the cellar.

The youngsters seem to be enjoying their summer vacation. Eileen Drenick, in a Country Accents article, once wrote that when we were children summers were synonymous with FREEDOM. For many of us, summer is still a carefree time with long, lazy days and no set schedule of carpools, after-school activities and PTA meetings. “Somehow, under blossomladen breezes and bright, warm sunshine, our daily concerns melt away like a double-dip of soft ice cream in a waffled sugar cone,” Drenick wrote. “Whether the backdrop is the Atlantic Ocean, with its briny, windblown dunes, or a backyard wading pool and lawn sprinkler, warm days fade slowly into sweetly scented evenings, lit by fireflies and starlight.”

Jim was mowing the yard when I came home from work Monday evening so I got busy, sliced and fried a couple of zucchini and had them waiting when he finished. He came in early on Tuesday and when I left the office we made a trip to Siloam to buy more paint and eat lunch at Taco Bell. When we returned I made some spinach dip.

I picked up a friend Wednesday morning and we drove to Old Town Parkfor our June J.G.T. Club meeting. We enjoyed a picnic in the park and after our meal went down to see the steps our club had helped repair.

Friday morning I went to the newspaper office, working for the first time with colleagues from Gentry and Decatur who are joining us.

Summer meals are easy to prepare with the abundance of sweet summer fruits and plump, freshfrom-the-garden vegetables I took some squash to Aunt Leta’s and came home with some slices of cantaloupe. I visited the farmers’ market Saturday morning and bought two containers of local blueberries, some beans and greens.

I baked a pan of brownies and took to quilt class Saturday afternoon. We enjoyed the food and fellowship and viewed three quilts and several pillowcases members had recently completed.

The Fourth of July weekend is coming up and we’re looking forward to the annual fireworks display. The kids and grandkids are planning a little trip up north so they won’t be joining us this year but we’ll enjoy our front row seat and savor memories of past years when we’ve watched together. As Drenick’s article concluded, “It really is magic, the way the simple joy of summer embraces a family, bringing them together in a warmth generated by nature and their hearts. It is summertime and we are free to squeeze in every bit of fun we can get.” -Susan Holland Susan Holland, who works for The News Herald, is a lifelong Benton County resident.