My Summer Blergh

So summer is officially here.

I apologise to all summer lovers, but I do not enjoy this season for several reasons, which will become apparent as we go along.

We were out yesterday, in the heat, and it struck me that the first really warm day we have each summer reminds me of going into labour.  No really it does!!

You see, when you have your first child you enter labour in blissful ignorance.  Sure you know it's going to hurt, you are going to lose all dignity and occasionally wish you were dead, but you have no real idea of what contractions feel like.     Then you have your second child and as the first contractions grips your belly it all comes back to you.  I remember saying 'now I remember how much this hurts'.  By then, of course, it is way to late to do anything about it, you just suffer through.

Well folks, the first hot day each year is just like that.  The sun hits, burns the ground, your skin and everything else and suddenly you think 'now I remember how much I hate this'.   It's too late ... summer is here.

So what exactly do I dislike about summer.   Well, firstly there is the sun (fairly obvious you may say).  The sun is extremely bright and hard to escape.  In the sun, I squint.  Even wearing a hat and sunglasses, I squint and squinting causes wrinkles!  Do remember here, I have just turned 60 and need absolutely no further assistance developing wrinkles!

In summer, I sweat!!  I do not like to sweat.  If I wanted to sweat, I would exercise on a regular basis.  I clearly do not do this!  I spend time doing my hair and (minimal) makeup each morning.  When I sweat my head and face get very wet, destroying the effect.  Sweating is unladylike and yucky.

Also getting cool is much harder than getting warm.  You can always put on an extra layer of clothing, wrap a blanket around yourself or sit near the heater or fire.  But in summer there are only a certain amount of clothes you can remove before the police are called.   I do not want to be responsible for affecting the mental status of small children.   
Similarly, summer clothes are often short and sleeveless.  Neither of these options are good for me.  Really, we are all better off if I keep things well covered.

Next problem.  I love comfort food, soups, dumplings, warm puddings.  These do not mix well with hot weather.   Barbeque and salads are great, but I do not want to eat salads every night of the week!!   If I did I would visit one of those fancy 'health' farms!

Yes, I am biased against poor summer for many reasons.   The good news is I acclimatise fairly easily and do enjoy those gorgeous balmy summer nights.  So it's not all bad.

So welcome summer .... be short and sweet and I guess I will see you next year.