Summer Adventures with the UR

"In the summer, the days were long, stretching into each other. Out of school, everything was on pause and yet happening at the same time, this collection of weeks when anything was possible." - Sarah Dessen, Along For The Ride

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Christine Rains

This summer I discovered something new and magical. It's called Camp Brosius, and it's a family camp. What's that, you ask? It's summer camp for families, and it's like a cruise on land. There are activities for kids, for adults, and for the whole family. My son stated it was the best vacation of his life, and I have to agree. I relaxed for the first time in like ten years. Really, truly relaxed. That's magic.

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River Fairchild

Summers aren't really my favorite time of year to do anything, but I was thinking back to the carefree days of my childhood. The endless opportunities to do nothing at all. Lie in a field of flowers for no reason. Idle the time away. Thinking about wanting to grow up... and not understanding the value of having no responsibilities for the one and only time in your life! LOL

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Cathrina Constantine

Every year we try to get together for a family vacation. This year we ended up in Chautauqua Lake in a small cottage. It sure was cozy. It was especially special because our three grandchildren met for the first time. Sammy, our 3 year old snagged his very first fish! Fishing, boating, kayaking, and nightly fires with s'mores, good conversation, laughter, and reminiscing made it a perfect vacation.

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M. Pax

Zip lining! With the new job, Husband Unit and I rarely get a day off together. When we do, we take advantage. One of the most enthralling things we've ever done was the zip line tour near Crater Lake. Heights scare the crap out of me, but I also like adventure. I'd never jump out of a plane or bungee jump, but zip lining scared me a little bit less. It was fantastic! Flying through the trees, being out in the glory of nature, laughing under the sun. Now I want to zip line everywhere there is a zip line.

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Meradeth Houston

This summer I spent a good deal of time in my lab working, but that was to gear up for a super awesome adventure :) I traveled to Zurich, Switzerland, where I met up with one of my good friends and we headed to the Dolomites (southern Alps in Italy). The striking peaks were amazing and we have six days of hiking through their splendor. From there, I got to travel around in northern Italy, visit Otzi the ice mummy (so cool!), and several other places. This is me in Verona (the city from Shakespeare's famous Romeo and Juliet), and I also had some fun in Genoa and along the coast there. I have a bunch of photos on my Instagram page, if anyone wants to see. It was a trip of a lifetime, and since I really needed a break from work, I am very grateful I was able to go!

Weather Inspiration

Speculative fiction takes a lot of inspiration from what-ifs. What if aliens landed in the middle of the Super Bowl? What if a giant serpent really lived in the ocean? What if robots rose up against the human race?

Those what-ifs stretch the imagination, but there are every day things that spark ideas and generate new worlds. One of those things is the weather. That ever-changing, difficult to predict, mighty force. What makes it more ominous is that there is little we can do about it.

We've had no snow this winter where I live. It's been so warm, previous records have been broken on a weekly basis. What if this continues? Or accelerates? We now have rattlesnakes in the area and brown recluse spiders. People have died from bites. If the warming trend continues, we'll have even more poisonous critters moving up.

With the bouncing temperatures not being too cold or summer hot, it's the perfect environment for viruses. So many folks have been sick and hospitalized recently. What if a virus gains strength in these temperatures? What if it mutates?

I have friends in the southern hemisphere experiencing a brutally hot summer. Crops have dried up, and there's been several power outages. What if the temperature continues to rise? How hot will it have to be before people won't go outside anymore? How will we adapt then?

Some days I dream about winters like I had when I was a child. So much wonderful snow. I've never experienced a storm that kept us inside longer than a day, but the cold can be just as vicious as the heat. What if we were thrown into another ice age? What would our lives be like then?

What are some of your favorites stories that played off the what-ifs from the weather?

Polar Day, the Summer Solstice, and a Free Book

Fairbanks, Alaska at 12:43 a.m. on June 21, 2008

Even though my book Polar Day has been out for more than a year now, I still can't help but think of it when the summer solstice rolls around here in the Northern Hemisphere.

The book, like its predecessor, is set in Fairbanks, Alaska, land of both the midnight sun and the Polar Night. I'm not sure why, but I have always been fascinated by the solstices and the phenomenon of 24 hour daylight or darkness. I'm glad I don't have to live with either extreme!

I know the solstice actually happened yesterday, but I figured it's not too late for me to share a few celebrations that are tied to the event.

The Midnight Sun over Alaska

• Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England is perhaps the most famous location for solstice activities. Every year a host of revelers gather at the ancient site to witness the sun rising above the stone circle. For reasons we will probably never know, the circle was built so that it aligns perfectly with the sunrise on the solstice.

• New York city has held the "Solstice in Times Square" yoga event since 2003. The yoga begins at 7 am and continues until sunset. The day has also been named National Yoga Day as a result of this event. 

• In a tradition that dates back to medieval times, fires are lit in the Alpine region of Austria in honor of the solstice. Party-goers enjoy panoramic views of the fires dotting the mountainside from high up in the Alpine towns. 

• Astrofest in Croatia brings astronomers and star-gazers to the famous Višnjan Observatory. This festival combines science and spirituality for a magical take on the solstice. 

The Midnight Sun game in Fairbanks

• Finally, my favorite solstice celebration is the Midnight Sun baseball game held each year in Fairbanks on the summer solstice. The game begins around 10:30 each year and artificial lighting has never been used. The tradition has been going on since 1906. I thought it sounded like such a fun event I included it to help kick off the action in Polar Day. Although in my version the event didn't stay fun for very long. ;)

Since I'm talking about celebrations, I thought I'd add a little celebration of my own and offer my ebook The Turnagain Arm for free this week on Amazon. The Turnagain Arm is the prequel to both Polar Night and Polar Day, and the events of this story play in to both novels. If you're interested in checking it out, get your free copy here.

Have you ever taken part in a solstice celebration?

Happy Summer to everyone here in the Northern Hemisphere and Happy Winter to our Southern Hemisphere friends!

Saying Goodbye to Summer

A farewell to summer from Untethered Realms... how we really feel.

River Fairchild - 

"Stuffed tiger wearing a sombrero" by Keith Pomakis

Goodbye to summer. Goodbye to bugs. I’m tired of the heat and the endless sunshine. Hello cooler weather and leaves turning colors. Although I was happy to see you at the beginning of the season, you’ve overstayed your welcome. I’m fickle that way. Don’t take it personally. In the dead of winter I’ll be wishing for your return.

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Christine Rains -

Don't mind me if I try to push summer out the door. It already knows it's my least favorite of the seasons. The heat makes me wither and the sun burns my vampire-like skin. Sure, my kid likes to swim and he looks so cute in his mask. But even he is asking for snow already. Sorry Summer, but if you bring some mild weather next year and a ton of sunblock, we'll talk.

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M. Pax -

As the evening shadows grow longer with more of a golden hue, I'm not sorry. Summer is my least favorite season. I don't care for heat. It aggravates my carpal tunnel and my skin. Yet the season is usually filled with stars and gleeful memories of time out of doors. So I don't mind its short stay in Central Oregon (usually no more than 8 weeks).

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Ellie Garratt -

I'm not a fan of hot weather, so summer is my least favourite season. Heat rash. Higher humidity. Pollen allergies. Give me autumn any day. But I do love the longer days and summer flowers, so it isn't all bad.

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Julie Flanders -

Source

The end of summer is always a happy time for me. No more being embarrassed at how pale and ghostly I look in shorts. No more humidity making my hair look like I stuck my finger in a socket. No, instead it's time for autumn, by far my favorite time of the year. Hello fall foliage, hello crisp temperatures, hello football and hello Halloween. Goodbye, summer. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. 

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Gwen Gardner -

Bye Bye, Summer. You're beautiful, but...

...you have outstayed your welcome. It's way too hot in August/September and here in California we're in the middle of a drought. I'm doing my part by doing dishes in a dishpan and throwing the water out on the plants. Same with the shower. I catch the extra water in a bucket that would have gone down the drain and water the outside plants. We're expecting an El Nino come winter (a heavy rain system). But first, come on autumn! I love everything about autumn, especially Halloween. And hot chocolate. And sweaters. And Fall programming. 

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Angela Brown -

Summer, Summer, Summertime...

My darling Summertime... you entered the arena of my life bringing heat, heat and more heat. You weren't as bad as some Summertimes before, but yeah, you certainly let us know that you were here. And please don't take it personal that I'm glad you aren't here to stay.

It's not you, it's me and my low tolerance for high heat. I'm ready for autumn's cool breezes and nature's display as many trees change from their plain green gear to a colorful array of unmatched beauty.

So as I greeted you with my favorite summer song that puts this time of year into a cool, casual and relaxing perspective - despite your heat - I send you off with that song. Take it away DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith :-)

 

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Misha Gerrick -

Feeling a bit left out here. I live in the Southern Hemisphere, so I'm saying hello to summer. But first, spring! (My favorite season.)

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Cathrina Constantine -

I adore summer and hate to see it vanishing before my eyes. Here in Buffalo the warm season is extremely short and we must cherish each day. Lately, our cold, harsh winters seem to drag on endlessly.

But, on the bright side, my favorite season is Autumn!! I LOVE the changing of leaves, visiting our local Cider Mill with homemade fry cake donuts. And inhaling the fresh crispy scent makes me happy.

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Jeff Chapman -

So long summer. So long blistering heat. Anything over 80 is unbearable. So long mosquitoes. May the blood you've stolen freeze in your gut. So long lawn mowing. Although the mini-black forest I've planted in the back yard is bearing fruit, ie grass doesn't grow in the shade. No, summer is not my favorite season. But hark, glorious autumn is almost upon us. Peaches are ripe for the harvest. Tomatoes are turning luscious shades of red (my favorite color). Cabbages are thickening. Pumpkins are expanding. Apples are on their way. Chilly nights and crisp mornings will soon grant us comfortable slumber. Thanks for the sunshine, summer. You did help the garden grow. See if you can do something about the bugs next year.

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Catherine Stine -

Ready to put on the fall mantle

Cat sculpture at the Rock Store in Cape Cod

I used to dislike summer. The heat, the long days that can have an aimless quality... but now that I teach part time during the school semesters I get more writing done in the summer. I look forward to it - in fact, depend on that time to write. Plus, this summer I attended a whole bunch of book cons, which contribute to my commitment to writing. I also attend a weeklong writing retreat in Cape Cod. That said, I do like fall weather a lot. And fresh apples, and mums and Halloween! I'll just have to really boundary off my writing time and try to take full advantage of it.

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Cherie Reich -

*sings* So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night!

Although I rather dread the days of snow and ice, I'm not overly fond of the high temperatures, plethora of bugs, and storms summer brings. Bring on the cooler nights, sweaters, football, and hot chocolate!

Summertime and the living is easy?

Source

With all due respect to the writers of the above famous lyric, I beg to differ.

I hate summer. I hate heat, I hate the blazing sun, and, most of all, I hate humidity. It's safe to say summer is not my season. I know that puts me in a small minority. Possibly of one?

Nothing about me is conducive to enjoying summer. My skin is so pale that I could easily pass for a corpse, and tanning is not something it is capable of. The only color my skin can turn is lobster red. I have thick, curly hair that hates humidity as much as I do. Five minutes outside in July and my carefully coiffed curls are transformed into a frizzy clown wig. Even my feet hate summer, as nearly every pair of sandals I have ever owned has given me blisters.

While most people look forward to the standard summer attire of shorts and tees, I cringe with embarrassment at the thought of exposing my blinding white legs. I loathe leaving work and getting into my car when it has been roasting in the parking lot all day. The inventor of air conditioning is one of my personal heroes.

One of the few things I like about summer is baseball, yet this year my Reds are so pitiful that they have merely increased my seasonal grumpiness.

My hatred of summer played a big role in the development of my latest novel, Polar Day. After writing my debut novel Polar Night around the winter solstice and the Arctic phenomenon of 24 hour darkness, I became interested in writing a sequel about the opposite extreme. When reading about summer in the book's setting of Fairbanks, Alaska, I was horrified at the thought of a sun which never has the decency to set. When I read about an extraordinary summer heatwave that was baking Fairbanks, it was easy to imagine the primary horror facing the people of my story. What else could it be but fire?

Fortunately, unlike the people of my book, I've never had to face the terror of being burned alive. The only burning I've had to deal with is from the sun. But I still count the days until I can say goodbye to summer.

October is far and away my favorite month of the year. I love the cool, crisp air and I love being able to cover my ghostly pale limbs with jeans and hoodies. I love football, the shorter days, snuggling under a toasty blanket, and hearing the leaves crunch under my feet when I take my dog for a walk. In short, I love everything about autumn.

To quote Green Day and wrap this up with another lyric, this one much more suited to my personality, "wake me up when September ends."