I am not “feeling” any Autumn vibes except for the early commercialization of pumpkin spice by retailers trying to drum up business. I am still savoring the last moments of summer as I wipe the sweat off my brow and other sundry places I’d rather not name. It is still as hot as a Fourth of July firecracker except slightly when we have our daily showers and thunderstorms. With the humidity as high as the triple-digit temperatures, I like savoring the last moments of summer by the water, with a tall glass of mango iced tea.
Savor The Memories
Southern summers are perfect for making sun tea by the pitcherful. Who can resist a cold, refreshing, tall glass of homemade iced tea when melting in the August heat? The sound of ice cubes clinking in my glass of tea is music to my ears. If I close my eyes, the experience takes me back to summers at my grandparents’ house. Sitting on an old metal glider that moved gently back and forth. Grandpa kept it oiled so there was no squeaking or groaning. After working in his vegetable garden, he would escape the heat by drinking iced tea and sitting on the porch glider. Thoughts of white wicker and tall-backed rocking chairs on porches lined by large Hydrangea bushes in bloom, while wafts of honeysuckle and rose fill the air, also accompany my mind as I savor my iced tea.
Enhance The Experience
Mango iced tea, half and half, is my most favorite tea to savor in the summer. I discovered mango iced tea at Sonny’s BBQ. Between scrumptious smells of smoked pulled pork, barbequed chicken, and ribs, you can hear my husband gulping down his mango tea. Yes, gulping! Gulping is allowed, and a sincere compliment to the establishment. While iced tea with lemon slices is no slouch, an Arnold Palmer made with half lemonade and half tea is second only to mango tea. Some even take it a step further to add other fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and peaches to enhance the flavor of their iced tea experience. Green Tea with mint and honey is another summer favorite to savor. Tea possibilities are unlimited.
Savor The Hospitality
The South is known for hospitality as a social norm, and hydration is king in the war against Southern heat and humidity. Replacing fluids is an absolute must because heat strokes are a real threat. Any good neighbor in the South relishes refreshing a friend, yard worker, or family member with the simple hospitality of a cold glass of iced tea. A true Southerner might also serve a tray of cucumber or homegrown tomato sandwiches to accompany your iced tea. Summer is days of light refreshments before the indulgent menus of the holiday season. Anyone working or being outside in the South this time of year could use a bit of consideration. Take the time to extend and savor the hospitality of light refreshments.
Summer Moments To Gather
Reflect on the summer moments and activities that you have enjoyed most. Savor those memories and make plans to repeat them next summer. In the meantime, make sure to savor every ounce of fleeting summer moments left this year. Relish the Southern hospitality that you have been given, but don’t forget to offer some of your own. Refreshing another soul along the journey of life sparks joy in your own heart. Offering hospitality to those around you is Biblical and what the good Lord would have us do. Be the change you would like to see. Apply generous blessings of hospitality to others. Help a friend or neighbor gather and savor their last moments of summer.
Be blessed, Sister! And stay cool! Summer is still happening for all the Southerners I know, even if school has started back! We’ll take on pumpkin spice soon enough~ Pour yourself a tall glass of your favorite iced tea, sit out by the lake, and savor those last moments of summer. Take a friend along with you. You won’t regret the time spent together~ Enjoy!
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
Enjoying the last day of summer but I’m ready for fall temperatures.
My grandparents had a glider swing too! It was in their backyard. I remember how much I enjoyed it as a kid. I would lay on it and pretend to be asleep. Through my barely cracked eyes I would be enchanted by watching the birds and such carry on as if I wasn’t there.