Ah......Summer!

The news blares: insurgents, kidnappings, terrorists, uprisings, tornadoes, floods! The list goes on and on, making us grateful to live in our sheltered valley in the southern Black Hills. We are having more rain than usual, including an occasional hail onslaught, but we do live in "fire country" and are thankful for the moisture.

Otherwise we are having an influx of tourists, an increase of open businesses, warmer weather (finally), festivals and commemorations, Miss South Dakota Pageant with a group of eager, talented lovely young women riding in a parade and singing, dancing and performing their way toward possible fame and a scholarship.

Life is good in our peaceful community. The vegetation is lush and greener than the norm. The roses color our world in their vibrant yellows, pinks, reds and whites.Visitors drop in during these months bringing excitement, news and the warmth of their company. All of this follows an unusually cold, long winter. Yes, the winter and cooler spring did seem long. This summer will fly by, leaving colorful memories to brighten the grayer months to follow. It is good to remember that we might not appreciate summer if it remained all year.