For most of my life I’ve enjoyed summer. I’ve spent many hours outdoors in the hot season, frolicking under the Sun or soaking up its potent rays while lying on a blanket or chaise lounge.
Alas, somewhere along the line, perhaps about 10 years ago, my good feelings about summer took a sharp turn southward. Since then, I’ve mostly stayed indoors in summer when the Sun is high in the sky, my body no longer happy to be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29°C) and to an unrelentingly bright ball of fire. Now deep into my senior-citizenhood, I melt like ice cream under those conditions. Which doesn’t fit the definition of having fun in the summertime.
A week and a half or so ago, though, a northward shift occurred. I have no idea how long this positive outlook on summer will remain in place. In any event, it’s fascinating to me that the change occurred at all.
My favorite fruit, peaches, prompted my new attitude. There I was in early June at a local supermarket, buying this and that, when I remembered that peaches had come into season in parts of the USA and would be for sale in the store. Moments later I picked out a couple of peaches. They’d been shipped from the state of Georgia, one of the peach hubs of America, to Pennsylvania, where I reside and was grocery shopping.
One of those peaches took two days to ripen, the other took three. The waits were worth it. The peaches blew my mind when they entered my mouth, so luscious were they. Their sweetness was exemplary, their texture a dream. In love with the fruit, I realized that peaches galore would be available for the next two or three months. In other words, throughout the summer. And, at that moment, I found myself regarding summer, which officially began in my hemisphere on the 20th of June, in a good light. “You know,” I said to myself, “summer offers more than the opportunities to sweat like a f*cking pig and to come close to passing out from the heat. Neil, you’ve forgotten that summer has its upsides too.”
Yes, I’m in a much better frame of mind about summer than I’ve been in a long time, despite the crazy heat that has Pennsylvania and much of the rest of the world in its grip. And I have more than peaches to thank for that, because what I’m expecting to be enjoyable getaways are on the horizon. Sandy and I will be at a family reunion this summer for a few days. The locale? A village beside a beautiful lake in rural upstate New York. And we’ll also spend time with friends at their beach house in Delaware.
Now, I’m going to stay in the shade, or indoors, a good bit at those gatherings. I’m not about to forget what high heat and glaring Sun can do to me. However, I fully intend to have fun while there. And if that happens, I figure there’s a chance I’ll also approach the remainder of summer 2024, and subsequent summers, lightheartedly, like I used to do.
I can think of no better way to end this essay than to include a song from Eat A Peach, the album released in 1972 by one of the greatest rock groups of all time, The Allman Brothers Band. Fittingly, they were based in Georgia. And, I’d guess, they consumed more than their fair share of peaches. I’ll leave you with Stand Back, one of the Allman songs you don’t hear all too often. Power-packed and gritty, it almost makes me want to go outside and dance madly while engulfed by high temps and intense sunlight. I said almost.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
TS Eliot wrote ‘do I dare to eat a peach?’ (Love song of J Alfred Prufrock). Keep on daring! Good company in any temperature is the way to go. And cracking Allman Brothers track, by the way.
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Hi. You’re right: When we’re with companionable people, not-so-good weather conditions don’t matter much.
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So Wonderful
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Summer fruit? I prefer nectarines with their smooth skins. Enjoy whatever pleases you. Cheers, Muriel
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Hi Muriel. One of my favorite fruits is the Bartlett pear. Not a summer fruit, but great nonetheless. I love ‘em!
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Guess that’s where the adage, “everything’s just peachy” comes from. Here’s to a ripe, juicy summer.
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Hi Dave. I had a peach this morning. It was absolutely great. Thanks for visiting. Take care.
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Peach-y Keeno! I like this story and will be joining you in the shade this summer, not near a lake, but in spirit. Like they used to say when I was a kid, eat a peach.
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Hi there, Ally. I think the peach crops have been better this year compared to last year. In 2023, plenty of peaches I bought turned out to be mealy. This year, so far, every peach has been great.
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I’ve been indulging in summer fruits for the past few weeks and just pretend I didn’t notice that eight nectarines cost $20. I want to enjoy the treats of the season while I can, so it’s money well-spent. If you end up dancing by the end of summer, you better make sure it’s on video 😉
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Hi. I’ve been shocked by the price of nectarines, too. What’s going on with that? Maybe the crops weren’t bountiful. In any case, I plan to buy some red cherries soon — my local supermarket has a coupon with which you can buy them for $1.47 per pound. These days, that’s a bargain.
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My feelings of summer equal yours before your peachy revelation, Neil. I also love peaches, but not enough to counteract the miserableness caused by heat.
BTW, all of Colorado eagerly awaits the ripening of its own Palisade peaches, growing near Palisade in the western part of Colorado, which is also known for its vineyards. Any day now! 🍑🍑🍑
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Here’s to peaches! A good peach is hard to beat.
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I love peaches and summer. You can always get cool sitting under the sprinklers and enjoying a peach milk shake. Have fun on your trips. They sound wonderful.
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I could go for a peach milk shake right now!
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“Almost” lol. You had me with staying inside and in the shade. I’m with you on that one! – Marty
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Hi Marty. Stay cool!
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I love summer–so much to look forward to in the state where I live: strawberries (beginning of summer), cherries (now), blueberries (mid-July), blackberries (august) 🙂
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Hi. I bought cherries today. They probably are from your state.
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Living in North Florida (my children live in Pittsburgh). I understand the contrast of summers. Recently Pennsylvania has had a significant shift in temperatures. We often refer to our summers here as ‘swamp heat’ the temps hover close to 100 degrees daily, along with the humidity which is close to 100% too. It can be God awful. However, come late fall through Spring, its absolutely beautiful.
I love a good peach. Our roadside stands are filled with Georgia Peaches. South Carolina peaches are divine too.
Cheers to summer and the idea Fall is around the corner.
Velva
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Hi Velva. Thanks for adding your thoughts. The other day I researched peach production in the USA. California is by far the leader. South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey grow lots of peaches as well.
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Those peaches are making me salivate! Unfortunately it has rained so much here in BC i dont think we will have much of an Okanagan peach crop 😔. I’m off to Italy to eat watermelon instead 😎
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Have a great time in Italy!
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You picked a good tune.
I made peach pancakes the other day. They weren’t that bad. Pop over one day and I’ll cook up a stack.
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Peach pancakes are a great idea. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had them. Hi CB. Have a good week!
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Peach, vanilla yogurt or Philly cream cheese with lots of syrup. Then go for a walk
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Summer has been and is still my favorite season. I remember when I was young, the peaches were so sweet and fragrant from local New Jersey farms. They also often had a worm in them which we just cut out… No worms anymore bc they are full of pesticides.
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I absolutely love peaches and all stone fruit!
Reading this post, I immediately thought of The Stranglers “Peaches” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MlTg4RNQcc This song was banned in a few countries when it first came out, I believe. 😉
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Thanks. This is QUITE a song. I’d never heard it before.
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Ha, ha, the Brits can certainly be out there… 😉
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Get that you’ve found a different way to enjoy summer. When you’re starting summer, it’s the beginning of our winter, and being cold I do not enjoy. Though, after a brisk walk for some time, reflecting on nature, or my next writing or art project, it resets my mind. Later I’ll finish one of these reflections and you will get to see a different form of mind-setting in action. Love your song choice, had me bopping along!
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Hi Vivienne. To me, the best seasons are spring and fall. My overall favorite is fall.
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You just have to be judicious with your outdoor time – I do my hikes/walks in the morning this time of year, and afternoon when it’s colder and I need that sun. There are some lovely, flavorful peaches, surprisingly, grown on the western slope of the Rockies. I’ll have to look for some after reading this!
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I’d like to eat a Colorado peach. But I doubt if any are shipped to my state, Pennsylvania.
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I’m sure you’re in a Georgia peach market. But it’s nice to find something locally grown out here in the wild west!
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Beach house, reunion by a lake… all you’ll need is to find a fresh peach stand on the side of the road at each place to make this the best summer ever!
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An excellent idea!
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I SO get your changed attitude toward summer! Summer used to be my favorite season of the year – my birthday is in July so there’s that, no school, beach vacations, lightning bugs, and time to spend with my cousins. So, of course, it was a grand time. Nowadays, I cannot abide the heat! What happened? I’m not sure but in the past few years my tendency to SWEAT has increased 100 fold and I do NOT like it. I prefer to stay inside and cool, thank you. But the other day I listened to Billy Stewart skat out “Summertime” and oh, how I remembered when I loved the season SOOOO much. Take a listen!
Happy 4th!
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Hi. You know, it seems to me that there are far fewer lightning bugs in my area, southeast PA, than there used to be. Is this also true where you live?
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We still have them our backyard and nowadays our 8 year old grandson tries catching them as I once used to do. We live in the same house where his mother used to be enchanted by them as well. But sadly you are right. There are less of them in 2024 than I recall in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
My best memory of them is in a large cow pasture on a rolling hill in the Shenandoah Valley where I spent 2 weeks every summer with my cousins. It seemed the evenings were bedazzled with them. Or maybe there’s just more magic when you’re young.
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Happy July 4th Neil!
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Thanks Lynne. I saw a fine fireworks show tonight. Not sure why it was on the 3rd rather than the 4th. But that’s okay!
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Summer USED to be my favorite season as well, too humid, and the mosquitoes are brutal. We have an invasion of earwigs here right now. Yuck. On the flip side, I hope you have a great July 4th!
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Hi Mark. So far my revised attitude about summer is holding fast. I hope that continues.
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I haven’t had a good summer peach yet this year, Neil. I’ll make a point of seeking them out. It doesn’t get too hot here in the Pacific Northwest (except for the next four days), but I’m with you about avoiding the excessive heat – they’re good days to blog. Have a wonderful reunion and trip to the beach and I hope the weather cooperates. 🙂
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Hi. So far this summer, I’m not letting the heat mess with my outlook. My attitude towards summer, for now anyway, is better than it’s been in a long time.
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🙂
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I know what you mean about summer, my friend. I find myself scowling at all that sunshine and heat. But fireflies and dandelions are particular summer magic, so if suffering the heat and skeeters means enjoying those little wonders, then so be it, lol. xxxxxx
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Hi Jean. I’m writing this from a porch in upstate New York, overlooking Lake Champlain. It’s hot out, but I’m ignoring the heat pretty well. The locale is beautiful.
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Oh … now I want a peach! We get some good ones from a little north of here … infamous throughout the state. Named after the town where they are grown they are called ‘Palisade Peaches’. Peach is one of my favorite flavors. Nice summery post!
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I could go for a peach ice ream cone right now!
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Peach lover here too, Neil. In fact, I planted a peach tree a few months ago, and am now patiently nurturing it, hoping in two years (maybe next year?) I’ll have my own little heavenly batch!
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Planting a peach tree is a great idea. I hope it will produce lots of delicious peaches for you.
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I love the Allman Brothers, too, Neil. The peaches in grocery stores in northern AZ are usually a little bitter. Not sure where they’re grown. But when you have a good one, there’s nothing like it. Happy summer! 🙂
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Hi Lisa. Most of the peaches I’ve had here in PA have been good so far this summer. The peaches have come from California, Georgia and a couple of other states. Haven’t had a peach grown in PA yet this year. But I will!
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I am with you on summer heat. I prefer the other 3 seasons. The problem with summer is that everyone tries to make me feel guilty about wanting to stay indoors.
Now I have a taste for peach ice cream!
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Hi. Peach ice cream is great. I could go for some right now too.
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I love peaches too, unfortunately Ireland is not good for fruits ( strawberries and apple aside) but while in italy over summer I live on them and cherries
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Greetings. The peach season has ended in my part of the USA. But I think that peaches are still being harvested in California. A good peach is one of life’s fine pleasures.
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