But let's not get ahead of ourselves. As of this weekend, we can now officially herald the beginning of true summer weather here in middle Tennessee, and most of the U.S. (But not Chicago and the entire state of Colorado - I've seen enough cold temps and even snow in late May in those areas to exclude them from that sweeping generalization.)
And for places farther south of here, summer begins much earlier as this popular list declares:
Mr. Official and I typically spend the summer holiday weekends grinding away on one or more projects that we are eager to tackle. This year, we have a plethora of projects to choose from: fences, moving stuff, and setting up for our all-summer VBS (aka SBV) at church. Or all of the above.
Amid the hustle and bustle, I hope we all take some time to pause and remember and honor those for whom this weekend is specifically dedicated. Our country is so richly blessed with freedoms and liberties that other nations don't dare dream of having. I fear familiarity breeds contempt and our personal freedoms are being traded for the illusion of security, which - as Ben Franklin put it, if you sacrifice one for the other, you deserve neither. (Smart man, that Mr. Franklin. We could use a few more like him these days.)
I pray for all our troops actively serving in foreign lands. A few of you I know, most of you I do not. But I do deeply appreciate the job you do and the dangers you face with courage and conviction. May God bless you and your families, and keep you safe while you keep us safe.
Now, if I can just make sure I don't blink and miss summer as it revs up into high gear and speeds along toward Labor Day weekend, pausing just long enough to celebrate the 4th of July in between.
Happy weekend and happy summer!
