“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Tomorrow is the unofficial start to summer 2017.

Before we fire up the grills and jet off on our highly anticipated vacations, I want to share a few ideas I’ve been pondering about what many consider to be the three best months of the year.

The Freedom of Summer:  Everyone has a favorite season, but for me, it has always been summer.  For some reason, everything just seems to be more vivid — the salty feeling after being at the beach all day, the smell of freshly cut grass, the sounds of boats, fireworks, and rock ’n’ roll concerts.  And most importantly, the taste of buttery corn on the cob at an afternoon BBQ…  That stuff is no joke.

When I sat down to write this article, I got to thinking about these sights and sounds and the sense of freedom that comes along with summer.  I don’t know about you, but some of my fondest memories involve running around on balmy Carolina evenings with my friends believing the summer months would never end.

I would argue this freedom (both literal and figurative) is what makes summer so special:

• Days are noticeably longer
• Weather is hot and sunny
• There’s a transition between old and new semesters
• Pace of life tends to slow
• Our favorite stories, songs, and memories paint a picture of endless summer
  

How to Make Most of Summer Freedom:  Yes, summer is a time to relax and enjoy this freedom.  But it’s also a time to explore.  With more time on our hands than any other point in the year, summer is the best opportunity we have to try new things.

This week, I started a list of new things to do with my own summer freedom.  For fellow Floridians, perhaps you can steal a few of these ideas.  For everyone else, I hope you too can dream up a bucket list to fill your longer days and warm summer nights.

1) Plan an adventure to a random city in Florida:  http://vacationidea.com/florida/best-things-to-do-in-st-petersburg-fl.html

2) Learn to cook an obscure recipe and have friends over for a BBQ:  http://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/authentic-octopus-tacos/

3) Read three books that have nothing to do with my normal interests:  http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/22/5-books-bill-gates-suggests-you-read-this-summer.html

4) Find that badass vintage Rush shirt I’ve been searching for at a thrift shop:  https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/222386245853_/True-Vintage-Rush-Moving-Pictures-1981-Concert-T-Shirt.jpg

5) Do something that scares me:  http://www.miamiskydivingcenter.com/

With that, I’m off to the beach.  See you next Sunday at 8:30pm.  🙂