Summer, My Forever Favorite
Summer in Argentina
Here in Argentina, the solstice marks the beginning of winter, and I find myself counting the days until I can return to Canada’s warmth. Living in four-season weather again has made me appreciate summer more deeply. When I lived in Honduras, it was summer all year long — a gift I adored, yet one that dulled my sense of seasonal change. I miss mango season on the island, the way the water warmed in June for scuba diving, and the slower rhythm of low season that gave us time to explore and dive just for fun.
Low season in Media Luna, Roatan
In Canada, summer has always been my favorite season. As a child, I spent endless days by the pool, eating far too many Mr. Freeze ice pops, and joining family and neighbors for BBQs. Now, returning home in summer feels like reconnecting with abundance and joy. I cherish long walks with my parents and Winnie, their basset hound, afternoons with my brother and his wife, and playful moments with my niece — swimming, chalk drawings on the walkway, and trips to the park. And of course, summer is the perfect time for soft serve ice cream, a simple pleasure I miss dearly.
Old summer days in Canada
Here in Argentina, summer arrives in December, alongside the holiday season. The garden bursts with tomatoes and peppers, and blackberries find their way into my morning yogurt. Afternoons are spent by the pool with mate or tereré, slices of watermelon, and long walks with the dogs at sunset when the heat finally softens. Sunrise meditation before classes grounds me in the rhythm of the day.
Across continents, summer has always been a season of abundance — of food, of light, of movement. Longer days invite mindful rituals: stretching at dawn, walking at dusk, savoring meals outdoors. Hydration becomes the invisible nourishment of the season — found in juicy fruits, water, and the simple joy of sharing a glass of David’s Tea iced tea with my mom, a moment that nourishes health and deepens connection.
The solstice reminds me that summer is not just warmth and light; it is a cycle of abundance, movement, and care. Wherever I am, I carry its gifts with me — in mangoes and berries, in chalk drawings and sunsets walks, and in the quiet act of honoring the body’s rhythms with nourishment that refreshes both spirit and soul.
Happy Summer Solstice,
Julie
