summer has sprung

One of the things that clearly marks summer for me is the sound of giggles and roars from the neighborhood kids as I sit outside on my patio as the sun sets. It is so reminiscent of my childhood and the fond memories I have of playing Capture the Flag and Kick the Can late into the evenings of July and August. Kids truly have abandon as they run circles around the yard or in the park and squeal as their sibling or friend intercepts them with a friendly tickle or "tag, you're it!" I just love it! Then as quickly as they come out to play, they disappear into their homes to settle into bed, and the calm, serene peacefulness of the beautiful central Oregon nights takes over. Bliss.