My Monday List

Special Summer Edition

I don’t think a Monday list will be a regular thing, but I spent a lot of the day yesterday reading and hanging out with John Henry, so a Monday list it is. I was thinking of doing a summer edition, but didn’t feel like shoehorning it into my Sunday format, so this is a celebration of sorts.

Good summer things.

• Getting up early but feeling like it’s not because the sun is already shining.

• Slipping a dress over my head, a pair of sandals onto my feet, and walking out the door to tend to the plants.

• In-season produce: Peaches and plums that I peel and eat over the sink, the funky sweetness of a ripe watermelon, tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes, fresh lettuces and squash, basil growing big and tall in my herb garden, and mint growing outside the front door.

• Roses.

• White clothes. Seersucker and Linen.

• Brown woven sandals. A new pair of white toe-splitters, as my grandmother Mammy used to call them.

• Straw hats and bags. A big scarf tied to your handbag in case you need a wrap for the air conditioning that will always be blowing on you somewhere.

• Porch sitting, especially in the evening.

• Twilight — the most magical time for a kiss.

• Picnics, even though they don’t really make that much sense. But we must do things that don’t make sense in life. We miss out on so much if we only do what’s practical. So, I think I’ll have at least one picnic this summer. And maybe even a summer party. Summer parties, of preferably six to eight people, definitely go on this list. Use the fancy candlesticks and china on the outdoor table.

• This Andrew Bird record came out last week and I like it so much. I always like to put together a great summer playlist. I’ll make that a goal this week and share it with y’all if you like. Meanwhile, this might suit your mood. Lovely textures, a breath of fresh air, if you will. I’ve always had a soft spot for pop musicians that lean classical.

• Working half-days on Fridays all summer.

• How nice shade feels when you’ve been in the hot sun.

• Freckles.

• A nap with someone you love. ❤️

• Cooking on the grill, singing songs under the stars, the scent of dried sweat on your lover’s skin at the end of a happy day.

I hope this is your best summer yet. I’m feeling it like I never have and want to savor every ounce of its heavy sweetness as I sit back, watch what happens, and await my next instructions.

See y’all soon.

Love

Allison

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