By Bonnie Brown
Columnist

“Summertime and the livin is easy.” This song was composed in 1933-34 by George Gershwin for the opera “Porgy and Bess.” It has been sung by diverse artists such as Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald and Willie Nelson, to name a few.

I haven’t seen the production in any form, but I’ve read that it tells the story of Porgy, a disabled black street beggar living in the slums of Charleston who attempts to rescue Bess from the clutches of her violent and possessive lover Crown, and her drug dealer Sportin’ Life. Not a happy story of Porgy and Bess, contrary to what the song title might imply.

Summertime is the season of good vibes. We spend months looking forward to summer as the cold winter weather limits our time outdoors. The trees are bare, the grass is brown, and the clouds are gray. There are no flowers with happy, beautiful blooms to see, so we wait until summer arrives to provide the warm winds, green leaves and green grass. And oh, those splendid flowers that are so beautiful!

Even before summer arrives, we are planning activities for the short season—vacations, new wardrobes, gardening, reading lists to be enjoyed poolside, and all the picnics and outdoor activities that are enjoyed in the summer season. Summer means lightweight clothing that seems to free us in many ways.

School children certainly look forward to summer when school is out and they, too, feel unencumbered. No homework, no required reading, no teachers to please. And what about the teachers? Well, their delight in summer is equal to that of the students. Teachers need the time to re-charge as much as the students. However, some take classes themselves or even get a “side
hustle” for the summer months.

Work schedules often adjust to the summer season. In many instances, less is expected from employees. The bosses know that the attention is focused on vacations and playtime. Dress codes in the workplace are often amended for summer and the attitudes reflect the more casual atmosphere at work. Thus, the feeling that the song evokes that living is easy in the summertime.

How do you spend your summers? I’m certain your activities and expectations differ significantly as an adult than when you were younger. A few decades ago, a young lad might go off to the nearest water hole to fish, certain that he’ll bring home a big one. Or he (or she) might round up the neighborhood kids to play ball. The game would be fun until the kiddos get hot and tired, and become bored. A little girl might wile away the hours on the front porch dressing her favorite dolls in various outfits as she dreams of walking the runway one day.

Adults might execute their dream vacation, perhaps to the islands or to Alaska. A trip to be remembered for years to come. It might be that they would relive their honeymoon, or perhaps take the grandparents and children along on the adventure.

Whatever your summertime dreams might be, remember the song title that the living is easy.

And summer fades quickly, so make the most of your time and resources to create a memorable summertime experience.

Just remember to get ready when the leaves start dropping and the first frost appears one morning, and you must bid farewell to summer. It happens all too soon!