Summer is here – the Time is Right to Chill with Gary’s Gems

Ah, summer! The word conjures up images of sunny beaches, refreshing dips in the pool, and lazy afternoons spent lounging under the shade of a tree with a good book in hand. It’s a season synonymous with relaxation, adventure, and carefree vibes. Who can forget how much we looked forward to summers in school—a time to escape the mundane routines and bask in the warmth of longer days?

But, believe it or not, some people have different enthusiasm for summer. It’s a paradox that challenges the notion of summer as the epitome of happiness and carefreeness. But for some –like me, summer meant a switch from studying to working. And that suited me just fine.

I didn’t have the time to deal with “summer anxiety” – that feeling that we had to have hot fun in the summertime. Because I always had a summer job, I had no idea that there were people who were anxious about the coming of summer. Whether it’s the “forced fun” or the fact that they can’t hide under layers of clothing, Summer anxiety is actually a thing.

“Increased temperatures cause higher cortisol levels, palpitations, nausea, and fatigue. These symptoms can feel like panic attacks, making us more anxious when we notice them. Humidity can also cause symptoms of dizziness and dehydration.” 

And, of course, some people suffer from debilitating allergies. But not me.

Summers meant summer jobs for me all throughout my school years. And I looked forward to them. It was my summer routine. And since I didn’t work around the clock, I had time to enjoy those summer nights and days.  I escaped the heat and reality by going to the cinema and losing myself in those summer blockbusters like Star Wars and ET, Just as you probably did. I hung out with friends, listened to the Top 40 and took trips to “Mint Julep.”  I took many trips to the “Julep” – as you can see.

Those songs, along with the greasy fries and shakes, bring back the sounds and smells of summer in Montreal – songs played in my head long after the radios were turned off.

There were many benefits to having a summer job besides money. The experience and confidence that came from learning new skills and the discipline of routine formed the foundation of my work ethic.

As I got older and the pace of summers blended into the other seasons, I slowed down the treadmill just enough to jump off on Fridays and enjoy lounging in our “secret garden.” on weekends. The place may be different, the body older, but the songs remain the same.

Here are some summer gems to polish as you sit in the sun.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” ~ Van Morrison” quote=”“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” ~ Van Morrison” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.” ~ Raymond Duncan” quote=”“A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.” ~ Raymond Duncan” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~ John Lubbock” quote=”Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~ John Lubbock” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawnmower is broken.” — James Dent” quote=”A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawnmower is broken.” — James Dent” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” – Jane Austen” quote=”“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” – Jane Austen” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude.” –Jeanne Moreau” quote=”“To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude.” –Jeanne Moreau” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Summer vacation: where you drink triple, see double and act single.” – Some anonymous drunk” quote=”Summer vacation: where you drink triple, see double and act single.” – Some anonymous drunk” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.”- Steve Martin” quote=”“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.”- Steve Martin” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Summer is a season if bounty, but more than any other fruit, it’s watermelon that marks the season of those hazy, lazy days of rest and relaxation, of slurping and dribbling watermelon juice down my chin.” – Yvonne Martinez Ward” quote=”“Summer is a season if bounty, but more than any other fruit, it’s watermelon that marks the season of those hazy, lazy days of rest and relaxation, of slurping and dribbling watermelon juice down my chin.” – Yvonne Martinez Ward” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘There’s a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I’m safe and warm For within that summer place Your arms reach out to me And my heart is free from all care’ – Theme from A Summer Place” quote=”‘There’s a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I’m safe and warm For within that summer place Your arms reach out to me And my heart is free from all care’ – Theme from A Summer Place” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“There is always that one summer that changes you[click_to_tweet tweet=”“There is always that one summer that changes you.” – Jason” quote=”“There is always that one summer that changes you.” – Jason” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Sweet, sweet burn of sun and summer wind, and you, my friend, my new fun thing, my summer fling.” – k.d. lang” quote=”“Sweet, sweet burn of sun and summer wind, and you, my friend, my new fun thing, my summer fling.” – k.d. lang” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.’ – Maud Hart Lovelace” quote=”‘It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.’ – Maud Hart Lovelace” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn” quote=”“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.’ – Mario Fernández” quote=”‘Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.’ – Mario Fernández” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.’ Jenny Uglow” quote=”‘We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.’ Jenny Uglow” theme=”style2″]