A Summer Meme

I got tagged for a summer meme by Quotidian Grace. So here goes.

1.) What first tells you that Summer is here?
the crazy round of activities as four children end the school year

2.) Name your five of your favorite distinctively Summer habits or customs.
eating steamed crabs and getting covered in Old Bay seasoning
taking cool showers
walking on the beach
talking on the porch late into the night
watching lightning bugs at dusk

3.) What is your favorite smell of Summer?
ocean

4.) What is your favorite taste of Summer?
homemade peach ice cream

5.) Favorite Summer memory?
riding the waves at Virginia beach and then falling asleep still feeling the ocean rocking

6.) Extreme heat or extreme cold? Which would you choose and why?
If I have to choose, I'll take extreme cold, but I'd like to stipulate a February or March vacation in a tropical climate.

7.) What books do you plan to read for the season?
I'd be happy to get through some of the pile next to my bed.

8.) How does the Summer affect your faith? Is it a hindrance or an ally?
It doesn't hinder my faith, but it does affect my church attendance. What can I say? I'm an Episcopalian.

And what use is a meme if it isn't passed around? Let's see...

Gracebythesea, Songbird, RevDrKate, Midlife Rookie, Vicar of Hogsmeade, Elastigirl