Rants and Rambles

I had never seen rhododendrons this tall during a walk in the park. After all, there is something to learn every day.  "Keep the ice cream out of the door handle," my mom reminded sternly as I went inside our car after getting a vanilla cone at McDonald's. Much to my meticulous attempts to finish the ice cream, thick drips of vanilla still fell under the dazzling summer sun. As we drove home, I admired the first signs of summer in every corner of the city - the beds of canary and velvet-shaded tulips fluttering under lush oak trees shading the sidewalks, the wisteria vines cascading in front yards, the crisp scent coming from freshly-cut lawns. The days start growing longer, with the sun lingering long enough to wilt the petunia baskets hanging nearby and scatter the fading cherry blossom petals on the carpet of green grass. My study spot on the attic has slowly turned into a steam cooker, despite the constant breezes in the backyard. The heat persists until eight o'c...