5 Things to Love about Summer in the Midwest

Summer may be coming to a close, but it’s still here—for now. For a season that I associate with slowness, mine has flown by. As most summers do, I suppose. And I feel like I haven’t appreciated it enough.

Summers in the Midwest are special. It’s a season when you know it’s all good. It’s all lazy dogs, bare feet and long days. Iced tea, sunsets and happy nights.

And I’m going to soak in every hot, humid moment that’s left. The humidity here in the Midwest doesn’t bother me, like it does a lot of people. It’s more like a well-known friend. Familiar, expected. Thick and warm. Kind of like a cozy blanket.

In celebration of this almost-gone season, I’m listing my favorite things about summer. What are your favorites?

1. The sound of cicadas

I love the sound of cicadas on summer nights. A summer evening isn’t complete without the hum and pulse of their vibrating song. Some people find it noisy, but after growing up hearing it year after year, it’s a kind of music to me.

2. The golden hour

There’s just something about summer evenings. They’re lazy. Slow. There’s no reason to rush, and every reason to linger. Even the sun takes its time setting. That’s when you have that perfect golden hour. When dusk is just setting in and the sun cakes everything in a goldeny light. It’s just a beautiful time of day.

3. The taste of, well, every summer fruit and veggie

Nearly every Saturday morning in the summer, I’m at my local farmer’s market going gaga over the produce. Heirloom tomatoes. Missouri peaches. Sweet, crunchy bell peppers.

Here in Kansas City, I’m lucky to live near dozens of farmer’s markets. But I have a favorite. And, I have a favorite farmer who knows me by name and always slips an extra something into my bag.

How many people can say they have a favorite farmer? It’s something I love about the Midwest.

4. The smell of a garden

Gardens aren’t just enjoyable for the tasty fruits, veggies and herbs they produce. They smell amazing, too. The tangy scent of basil when the sun warms its leaves comes to mind. Or, the spicy scent of tomato vines. Those smells are like nothing else. And completely reminiscent of summer.

5. The fireflies

Fireflies, lightning bugs, moon bugs. Call them what you will, they all refer to those little glowing specks that are so much fun to watch for. As a kid, I’d try to catch them. (But I’d always let them go.) There’s something a little bit magical about them and I still love to look for them on summer nights.