It’s About…Summer!

Outdoor sports, natural suntans, warm rain, sandals, sailboats and convertibles are rare in South Dakota.  The longest day of the year in South Dakota brings the rare warmth and reprieve from winter (which is really the other nine months for me!).   We make the most of our long nights, fire pits, and gardens.  It is a celebration worthy of legal fireworks and family reunions.  On this day of summer solstice, I was caught in a dilemma of “should I be working or playing?”.  The rain gauge points to working so I’m again searching for an inside activity.  Today’s social media topics seem to mainly be pleas for more sun!

Nature and social media seem to make strange companions.  Mobile technology goes everywhere to create both annoyance and acceptance.  Here are my latest examples: I was angry to see a girl texting DURING a tennis match yet just helped my daughter download the weather app to get weather warnings that might protect her and other kids at the courts.  I have to admit to a few games of Angry Birds as a distraction yet my iBird app identifies real birds that appear in my trees.  I haven’t found the need to text while I mow yet I saw that happen the other day!

Just as nature balances the seasons, we need to keep social media in balance with our lives.  We can be aware of our natural surrounding while exploring those new trails where social media leads us.  Leaving the office and computer behind from time to time is critical to enjoying our short, spectacular summers but don’t forget to share the season with your friends whenever and wherever you can!

What adventures can you share this summer?