While running this morning, I passed a crew of bleary eyed colleges guys, mowing the local baptist church's lawn.

And then the smell of freshly cut grass hit me.

How anyone could prefer the smell of cookies, pies or sweets to that aroma is beyond me.
It's so pungent and fresh - it's like a parade moving around town shouting "summer! It's finally here!!!"

It reminds me of the days when I used to mow my parents lawn during hazy summer afternoons. Or, when I lived in Pella Iowa for a summer and was the only girl on the grounds crew at Central College's athletic complex. The drudgery of putting up with college guys at 8am was well worth it, as I got to spend half a day outside.

To me, the smell of grass, sunshine and the thick sticky air - is an invitation to dwell on the simplicity of the days before us, at least for the next couple of months. However hectic work or life may get, I hope that everyone (that's all of you, readers!) gets a chance to enjoy a hot, sticky, green, perfect, sunny summer day.