Nearly 30 years ago, the late Ken Fuson, a gifted storyteller from the Des Moines Register, penned perhaps his most memorable story, a 400-word monologue about a 70-degree day in Iowa. Like Fuson, I’ve written my fair share of weather articles throughout my journalism career. And trust me, they can be pretty grumpy.
But Fuson takes a novel approach to writing about the start of spring in the Midwest, and this little homage, the sights I saw as I wandered around the city on a few picturesque days, In terms of speaking, it seeks imitation.
Welcome to another summer in Atlanta.
Here’s how Atlanta is celebrating the unofficial start of summer. Gather the toddlers in the park for a birthday party, serve them greasy pizza and juice boxes at the picnic table, and then succumb to their cries for more. More expensive! — on a swing. By twerking while she’s at work, like the Euclid Street sanitation workers moving to music only she can hear. Water pollinator habitats in your front, side, or backyard gardens to attract butterflies and bees that are still waking up from their sleepy winter/spring slumber. The lawn guy from last summer has quit his job, so by saying hello to the new lawn guy. By putting on your sunglasses, grabbing a folding chair, and reading a book on the front lawn next to the plastic kiddie pool. Waking up next to a sunny window and rushing outside because the long days still feel short. By driving with the top down and blaring the Doobie Brothers on the radio. A selection of books I read on the beach last year from the little library on the corner. On weekdays, I live, work, and play by strolling aimlessly through Avalon and Atlantic stations. Preparing for camping or traveling to faraway places relieves stress, much like an animal shedding its skin. Stopping to buy fruit from a watermelon vendor parked in the vacant lot of a closed dollar store. Stop to look up at the Ferris wheel in the Plaza Fiesta parking lot on Buford Highway. When temperatures exceed 80 degrees, cross to the shaded side of the street. Pull out a brown suit and blue buttons from the back of your closet for a classic warm-weather look. Order your ice cream in a crispy, sugary waffle cone bowl to avoid dripping. You can taste every spoonful. Take the kids to Six Flags right now and avoid going when it’s 90 degrees in the shade. By delivering food on a bike with a cooler taped to the handlebars. Standing in the park with your eyes closed and your face facing the sky. By running out of the school building and counting down the days until the end of the school year. By gathering with friends and neighbors to dine al fresco or watch a movie under the stars. By filling a metal bottle with ice water and leaving the house. By buying new swimsuits, sundresses, and sandals because it’s summer. By taking an evening walk or stopping to take in the intoxicating scent of your neighbor’s night-blooming jasmine. By cleaning the deck or pulling out the grill for a Memorial Day gathering. This brief moment of perfect outdoor weather absorbs every sight, sound, smell, taste, and sensation before it gives way to a season of sweltering heat and temperature-controlled environments.
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