By Johnny D . Adams
The Summer Sun
By Johnny D . Adams
Ok , so summer is here and I have a deep dark secret to share … the truth is , I really don ’ t like summer . Yea , yea , I know- Pagans are all about the outside and nature , but summer just doesn ’ t do it for me . Maybe , it was all those years , when I was growing up , facing the 110 plus degree temperatures in Southern Arizona or maybe it was the blast of hot air as you went outdoors . I also think it was all those days spent pushing the mower with the white surgical mask on , trying to avoid allergy attacks and then spending the rest of day zonked out on allergy meds . Let ’ s not even get into the itchy eyes and constant sneezing .
Now don ’ t get me wrong , summer holds some special memories for me as well . Gardening with Grandpa was great . Fresh peaches with cream for dessert , and eating honey straight from the hive was something not to be missed . It ’ s just overall , I prefer colder weather . I don ’ t like to sweat and let ’ s face it , as a large person there are only so many layers of clothing which I can remove in public .
But in the end , summer is like everything else in our lives . You have to learn to take the good with the bad . The light with the dark . The joys with the sorrow . Without the sourness of vinegar , what would we compare the sweetness of honey to ? If you could have peaches and cream anytime you wanted them , then you wouldn ’ t enjoy them as much . So , as much as I like to say I don ’ t like summer , the truth is , every hot day I bake in the sun just gives me more appreciation of the winter . Besides , if I didn ’ t have the summer heat , then I wouldn ’ t have my garden and the wonderful canned goods which feed my family through the winter .
So , I hope you will take some time this summer to enjoy the season and all the beauty which comes with it . After all , those snowcapped mountains will be here before we know it .
Chinese _ Witch _ Hazel _ at _ Crathes _ Castle _ Gardens _ - _ geograph . org . uk _ - _ 134635
Pagan Living Magazine | Summer 2016 5