Summer heat, summer fun

Hi neighbors. It is definitely summer! Let’s be careful when outside; but let’s not let the heat keep us from having some outdoor fun ... in moderation.

There is always a lot to do in the summertime. Recreation hits its peak. There are hundreds of things to do and dozens of places to go. Just remember to move your activities to a later time of day – that’s why we have Daylight Savings Time.

Early mornings are a great time as well for outside activities. Of course, most people work in the mornings at their jobs. On their days off they like to sleep in. If you aren’t up and out by nine a.m., you have missed the coolest time of the day.

People who garden know that you have to be out in the garden before 7 a.m., just as the sun is bright enough to see what you are doing. If you have a huge garden, whether vegetable or flower, you might consider making some irrigation ditches or better yet, underground hoses for watering. Sprinklers or watering by hand-held hoses are great ideas for small, dense areas – like elevated garden boxes. They are not very high on water conservation though. Just remember, water above ground in any form evaporates.

Of course, there are other good reasons to use sprinklers — children or grandchildren! Remember all those fun days of running through wet grass and getting soaked in a sprinkler? Kids still love that. Of course, one generation prior to we Baby Boomers there were no sprinklers so kids played in the creek. City kids had fire hydrants that were turned open for a short while periodically.

The ‘50s were the golden era of the lawn sprinklers, in my opinion. Although creeks and ditches are still big attractions if they are handy.

The big water fun spot is the local swimming pool. Most, including Nevada’s, have become full-out water fun areas with slides and various other water fun activities.

There are local lakes and beaches to enjoy as well. Boating and the water skiing that goes with it are great ways to enjoy the water and sun.

The big thing to remember about any water sport is to wear sunscreen. Actually, even gardening requires sunscreen these days; anything you do outdoors, even going to watch others participate in sports, requires sunscreen.

But the sun isn’t the only problem. Don’t neglect bug spray if you are going to be outdoors. There are any number of biting, stinging, embedding bugs to watch out for when busy outside.

In the winter, we all have to bundle up in layers of protective clothing. In the summer, as the clothing layers come off, the sprays go on! Just think safety first, better safe than sorry, and spray appropriately. Take your sprays with you if you are going to be in the sun and/or in the water for any length of time. Reapply as directed on the label. Children love the outdoors more than most adults, so be sure to apply sunscreen and bug sprays to them.

I remember rolling in the grass, tramping through brush, creeks and mud as a child. I thought I was having fun and didn’t realize I was taking my life in my hands.

Backyard BBQs are popular still. The fire pit craze is on and people like paying money to buy a fancy bucket to burn wood, pellets or even gas in to simulate a campfire. How about digging a suitably deep hole, surrounding it with bricks or tiles and making a campfire? You can teach your children the all-important skill of making fire while you’re at it. If you can’t afford a gas heated grill, through a grate over your campfire and cook there. Don’t complain about the smoke, it wards off mosquitoes.

Nothing tastes better than half-burned, half-uncooked hot dogs cooked on a stick in an open fire! Don’t forget the smores!

You can spend thousands of dollars making a fancy outdoor kitchen and dining area, or you can remember your roots and build a simple fire. Don’t forget to keep the garden hose handy.

The pioneer by-word for having what they needed was “make do, make, or do without.” A good saying to remember for any situation when you might need something you don’t have and can’t afford to go buy.

Until the next time friends remember to stay safe, think ahead and enjoy the summer fun!