Do you remember how awesome summers used to be?

And they lasted FOOOOR-EVVVV-ERRR… until you grew-up and joined the real world, that is. But man, those were the days.

Think back for a moment.

Hold it.

Nice, wasn’t it?

I only have so many summers left, and I intend not to waste them being old.” – John Mellencamp

That’s the spirit, John!

Recall how summers used to be before all the craziness settled into our lives. When summers were about things like the familiar sound of major league baseball on the radio, long evening drives with the windows down. Late evenings hanging out with friends.

What kinds of things did you love doing? What would you not let yourself miss?

Maybe life is busier now. Sure, there are more responsibilities. But HEY! C’mon now, it’s summer…

And guess what? This year is a special year.  We get fourteen weeks of summer.

Seriously, I kid you not… it is definitely, absolutely longer this year.

(Astrophysicists in the crowd, now is a good time to click ‘mute’).

Okay now, hang with me here… Memorial Day marks the official beginning of summer in the States. And summer doesn’t end until Labor Day, the first Monday in September.

Count ‘em… there are fourteen weeks. One, two, three, four… fourteen. Told ya!

I’m calling this one a “leap summer” because it’s sort of like a leap year, but instead of an extra day of freezing freakin’ February, we get an extra week of summer. How cool (er, hot) is that?

Don’t let this one slip by… it’s Untucked heaven!

Let’s go for it my friends!

To that end, here’s a “get the juices flowing” list of ideas for how to do summer right. It’s meant to be just that… a good start. Build on it. By all means, add all your favorite stuff —

It’s not a perfect summer until you…

• Enjoy a hot dog and a beer at a ball game
• Get rained out (of anything, as long as you say, “What the heck?” and go directly to Plan-B)
• Grill out, and it’s better with friends
• Rock out, or Bach out… at an outdoor concert
• Play a kid’s game with a bunch of grownups, okay and kids too!
• Have a beer with a neighbor (more points for an impromptu street party)
• Take a nap outside, hammocks trump chaise lounges
• Eat a pint of ice cream, by yourself of course
• Fix something (skinned knees count)
• Pick your favorite song so every time you hear it, it’ll bring you right back
• Taken a real vacation… c’mon, that’s what summers are for, among other things obviously
• See a summer blockbuster on the BIG screen (Ninja challenge: find a drive-in)
• Buy a new swimsuit… and use it… for swimming
• Read some books, find a cool shady spot and enjoy (include at least one trashy novel on your list, ‘cuz it’s summertime)
• Take a class or go to a workshop (the fun kind… no work-related BS allowed)
• Ride your bike, no excuses
• Go to a theme park, or a fair, or a carnival
• Watch fireworks… small town shows are best.
• Go outdoors, walk, hike, breathe, explore
• Watch a sunset
• Stay up way too late

Jedi-level summer activities for the more advanced…

• Take a shower outdoors (if you must, a poolside shower counts, but only half)
• Fall asleep on the beach
• Ride a roller coaster
• Reconnect with an old friend
• Buy lemonade from a kid
• Run through a sprinkler until you’re soaked
• Ride go-karts
• Toast a perfect marshmallow
• Lay under the stars
• Watch a sunrise
• Revive a family tradition
• Make a summer play list (bonus points if you actually make a mix tape… but you can’t anymore, or can you?)
• “Road Trip!” Pack light and be mobile. Get lost – as in go somewhere new, then GPS home
• Drive with the windows down
• Spend at least one day doing… nothing at all, zippo, nada

You should make a list. A good list always helps to make sure important stuff gets done. Do it on the first rainy day and write down all of your absolutely-must-do adventures. Keep this list with you at all times. Check it often.

Remember, every summer tells a story. Make this one epic.

Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen and bug repellent.

Last year I issued a challenge that I though was a rather innovative idea. Did you take me up on it? How did it turn out?

Check out that post here. I think you’ll like it too.

Go have an Untucked summer…

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