the summer sweet list

August 1st, 2024

1. Green leaves against the blue sky

2. Freckles on the nose, across the cheeks

3. Warm rain

4. Clovers in the grass

5. White socks and tennis rackets

6. Big fluffy white clouds that look like animals

7. The shower you take after you’ve been in the sun all day

8. Snacks by the pool

9. Watermelon

10. Latest sunsets of the entire year

11. The cool breeze right before a thunderstorm hits

12. Bikinis that untie at the side

13. Flushed cheeks

14. Gingham for picnic blankets and sun dresses

15. Rolling around in the grass to play, and to kiss

16. A white linen button-up that is slightly wrinkled with loving wear

17. Drops of ice cream on the hot pavement

18. Lazy sex

19. Strawberry season

20. Little embroidered flowers on a cotton dress

21. The sweat on a cold pint glass

22. Blowing bubbles that contain rainbows

23. Locally grown vegetables spread across a communal table

24. Fireflies, stars and the sparkle of the lake under the sunshine

25. Woven picnic baskets

26. A Tupperware of sandwiches cut into quarters

27. Wet hair that drips down your back

28. The stain leftover from strawberry juice

29. Bare feet

30. Red tomatoes and green basil

31. The books you read in the summer and the particular way they stay with you

32. Homemade pies

33. The smell of freshly cut grass

34. All the layered pinks and oranges of a sunset

35. Strawberry ice cream

36. Walking along the sidewalk, hot and sweating, when you catch a few drops from the sprinkler in somebody’s front yard

37. The stickiness of bug spray

38. Layered dips

39. How a bonfire crackles and surges

40. Friends dropping in to say hello and leaving well-fed

41. White tents of local farmer’s markets

42. Giggles at the neighbourhood pool

43. The insectile buzz of a humid day

44. Community events

45. Rolling green hills dotted with wildflowers

46. Closing your eyes to the sun and seeing the warm orange glow behind your eyelids

47. The way a rosy sunburn feels tight

48. Waking up early to watch the sunrise

49. The salty taste of sweat

50. Flowers that burst into bloom and withstand the heat of the day

51. Adding ice cubes to a glass of rosé

52. Corn on the cob, butter and salt

53. Counting the seconds between a lightning strike and clap of thunder

54. White cotton nightgowns

55. White cotton boxers

56. The low growl of a lawnmower

57. Pitchers of iced tea and lemonade and struggling to decide, maybe I’ll have one of each

58. Taking a long drive through winding roads as the radio sings

59. The pulse of possibility

60. How time feels languid and yet fleeting all at once