Sweet Smell of Summer.

Ahhh, the sweet smell of summer indeed. It has arrived, and majestically somehow made me fall even more in love with Madison.

Today is a soggy May day of rain, but yesterday was the most glorious weather, that perfect mix of spring and summer. Grinning like fools, Paul and I spent the day meandering around town on our bikes (who needs stupid $4/gallon gas anyway?!?). Now with my lobster red skin I feel like a true summer-loving Madisonite.

We began our morning biking to the Farmer's Market - surrounding the Capitol (see pic) this is the largest farmer's market in the Midwest. How great does it feel to buy Wisconsin cheese, spinach and tomatoes from the people who plucked them from their very own garden (cow)? Mmmmm. Hooray for buying local! Next we rode over to Willy St. (aka hippie haven) where we met some friends for lunch and were able to sit in the outdoor seating (the root of my lobster tone). On our way back towards our place we biked through family cookouts, people fishing on the lake, garage sales and plenty of yard working people. There is nothing that makes me feel more alive than having a summer breeze blow through my hair and watching midwesterners come out of hiberation in order to enjoy the arrival of REAL weather.

So those of you who live in places like California and Tennessee (you know who you are) may think I'm a bit overboard to revel in something as simple as a warm Saturday bikeride. But those of you living in this mysterious, winter-clad northern midwest of mine, mmmm I know you are tasting summer's arrival just as sweetly at this very moment.

So in short, there is no place I'd rather call home. Delightful.