Whew, Where Has the Summer Gone?

I don't like the way stores try to rush us through each holiday.

For example, I noticed beach balls and squirt guns on the shelves at Walmart next to Valentine's Day chocolates a few months ago. Isn't that a little early? Doesn't that kind of spoil the fun of summer's arrival? Not to mention, here in Seattle, it doesn't actually feel like summer until mid-June.

Yesterday, we took T Junior to get a kiddie pool at Wally World. We walked in through the electronic doors, the smell of Subway's bread smacking us in the face. (Really, Subway? Do you have to pump it in so strong? You know it doesn't smell the same as warm loaf from a real patisserie, right?)

Blinded by the onion-laced bread aroma, we almost walked past the sun toys. A week ago, the water wings and Styrofoam noodles were in the seasonal section of the store, taking up three entire aisles. Plus, there were more towels and flip-flops over by the greeting cards (yeah, I thought that was kind of a weird spot, too).

Now, those same rows are packed with storage containers (for all the pool stuff you purchased back in February) and the first of the back-to-school supplies are trickling in. Didn't kids just get out of school? Hasn't summer just begun?

It's the Fourth of July today. Tiny American flags on wooden sticks claim potted plants from one end of the country to the other, and their big brothers flutter excitedly from the front of houses everywhere. Even the sun can't wait to celebrate. It was up around 4:30 this morning.

Moms and dads and their kids in garages all throughout our neighborhood are getting ready for the parade. Soon, me, Mr. T and T Junior will join them. At the dollar store, I purchased a shiny crimson star garland, little flags, patriotic pinwheels and a lei in red, white and blue for T Junior's plastic car. I even found a squishy baseball for him to hold.

The mood outside definitely screams summer. Just don't go into a store.

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How are you celebrating the season?