I have a theory. There are certain memories that we will always equate with summer. However, what makes these memories so special is not just the thoughts, but the feelings. The effortless satisfaction, the relaxed momentum, the lyrical warmth. My theory attributes these recollections to the vivid sensory experience involved in creating a summer. Pick any one of the five senses, and I’m sure you can pinpoint out a memory connected with summer for each of them. The feel slippery feel of being submerged in a chlorine oasis as your toes dance to grip bottom. The smell of charred explosives resulting in an array of fireworks. The taste of of a juicy, crisp, cool watermelon slice that drips down your chin with each seed-filled bite. The hum of midday as lawns are mowed and children chatter in the suburban streets. The colors of a waning sunset that no HD television will ever rival. My point is, list items like this are what serve to supplement the memories that make up an unforgettable summer.
My mom used to make sun tea when I was little, and moving down South made me want to rekindle that abandoned ritual. All it took was a jar filled with water, eight tea bags, four hours in the sun, and… presto! I’m not sure why, but the notion that actual rays of sunlight infuse this tea make it so much more enjoyable. In fact, I find that the flavor is so sweet and smooth, it doesn’t even require sugar. It must be because this is what summer tastes like.
Love & Summer,
Sarah
Gone With The Summer 