Summer is such a glorious time for me! You see, I live north of the 49th parallel; winters are long here, and most years there's very little in the way of spring. We go from cold, hard winter, to sudden, severe summer in a matter of a few short weeks. We see our biggest snowfalls in March, April, and even May. I have seen snow here, each and every month of the year.

Sometimes the birds in my back yard look very confused.

That's why I enjoy summer so much. It gives me a chance to escape from the confines of my house. A chance to go for a drive with no specific purpose or destination in mind. It gives me a chance to get my bike out, or to go for a walk in the park without a coat on.

Sometimes in the middle of January in the harsh, frigid, cruel depths of winter, I'll sit longingly in my living room, in the leather chair by the south-facing window. I'll sit there, quietly soaking up the Sun through the glass. And with my eyes closed, I'll imagine...

Simple, delicious things like patio furniture, beer and baseball. The sweet, glass-hot sounds of the great outdoors - squabbling birds, the rustle of wind in great big elms, oaks and poplars, the obedient hum of an air-conditioner, and the splish-splash-rinse of my next-door neighbour washing his car. Then perhaps the cheer of a small crowd somewhere in the distance, applauding a home run or base hit.

I'll smell it too: all manner of glorious aromas the sweet, cool perfume of fresh-cut grass wafting lazily through the neighbourhood. The tangy, comforting aroma of warming charcoal briquettes. Then beef ribs or burgers, with sauce - lots of sauce - vegetable skewers and corn-on-the-cob, oh so glorious in their fresh-herbed, heavily-buttered perfection.

I'll feel the heat of the noon-high Sun as it warms me, and the lick and caress of soft, summer winds pressing the hairs back against my arms. And perhaps later I'll feel the cleansing kindness of soft, summer rain drops - re-vitalizing, and refreshing after the heat of the day.

Yes, I'll sit there in my wonderful January patio, with my eyes closed, my heart calm, and my mind immersed and peaceful - at one with this marvelous urban nature. Then I'll make the mistake of opening my eyes and I'll see the snow again. And a shiver, a tremble later, I'll be turning up the thermostat and wishing.

Wishing that it was summer.

Learn more about this author, James Mcdonall.
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