Because…SUMMER!

Guess what…

Like it or not…summer is here.  This…this is the weather of my people!!  Yes…I understand that I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota…but let’s ignore that for a moment and focus on the fact that…THIS is the weather of my people.

I love summer.  Even the hot temperatures that slow me down when I’m out running.  Goal this summer…to not be injured and out all summer.  The past two years…that’s exactly what has happened.

NOT. THIS. YEAR. (I hope).  So…with that in mind…

1.  My fist humid, hot, sunny run… (IN SUMMER!!)

So, it only seems fitting that my first hot run back this year was done with two of my favorite people to run with…Tammy and Matt.  We headed out early on Saturday, trying to beat as much of the heat as possible to get in our 15 miles.  It was brutal (humidity-wise), but it kept me on pace and I had good conversations and we pushed through our miles that morning, finishing up just after 9 am.

This picture represents your brain on 15 hot, humid miles on hills.  Whew.

2.  Morning Running, Soccer and Dinner with my Sole Sister…(IN SUMMER!!)

I was THRILLED to have company on my Thursday morning run this past week.  I am usually doing my (early) morning runs solo, but Natalie had this past week off for vacation and we managed to work it out so that we could run together one morning.  The best option was Thursday…I had 5 miles on tap so she came over around 4 a.m. and we headed out, running together down to the YMCA and then back to the apartment.  We had great discussions and enjoyed the last morning of cooler temps.

And then last night we put our season tickets to work by taking in the Louisville City FC (that would be Louisville’s professional soccer team…they play at Slugger Field and if you haven’t gone to a match, you’re missing out!) match.  It was hot, but what a game.  We were up in the 2nd half…until a late goal by Wilmington Hammerheads FC tied it up in stoppage time.  And, while we put though a valiant effort to come back, we just didn’t have time.  So we drew…2-2.  MEH.  But I’ll take a draw over a loss.  Tonight, Natalie is coming over for dinner.  I’m cooking up some Cauliflower Breadsticks and Smokey Zucchini Cakes.  There will probably be peach wine too.

3.  Cotton Candy Gapes…(IN SUMMER!!)

Nothing makes me happier than the return of Cotton Candy Gapes!!

If you haven’t tried these yet…you are SO missing out.  These plump, juicy, all-natural green grapes (non-GMO too) is a new variety of grape that is brought to you by Grapey.  These grapes actually do taste like that pink spun-sugar treat that you get at festivals and fairs.  And I mean exactly like cotton candy.  Cathy spotted these at the Whole Foods in Louisville yesterday, so this is my afternoon snack this week!!  So excited.  I do know that Kroger eventually started carrying them last year.  Anyway, if you love cotton candy, but could do without all the stickiness and ALL THE GRANULATED SUGAR that comes in that fluffy treat…these grapes…will blow your mind.  They will blow your mind anyway.  Try them.  Trust me.

4.  Zootopia on Blu-ray…(IN SUMMER!!)

Well, I wrapped up the Disney Animated Movies In Order marathon viewing last weekend, but one more was just released.  And it is one of my favorites.  ZOOTOPIA!  And you better believe I went out to Target on Tuesday and snagged a copy of it.

Seriously…I am Officer Judy Hopps.  She’s totally just like me.  I relate to this.  You will too.  If you missed seeing this one…or wasn’t sure what to make of it…trust me…you’ll love it.  Redbox it, Netflix it, Buy it.  But WATCH IT!

5.  Louisville Says Goodbye To The Champ…(IN SUMMER!!)

Okay, I almost didn’t take on the “in summer” part there…but it’s the theme.  Regardless, on Friday, Louisville, Kentucky put on a beautiful, memorable goodbye to The Greatest.  Muhammad Ali’s procession, burial, and memorial was held in Louisville this past week and it was a memorable and beautiful event.

All week since he passed away, the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville became a memorial to the late boxer.  Now, I didn’t grow up watching boxing or knowing much about the sport.  That being said, I do know a lot about Muhammad Ali.  You can’t live in this city and not know much about The Greatest.  I was able to watch the last couple hours of the memorial service after work on Friday and the speeches were amazing.  Billy Crystal was fantastic when he spoke.  I was tearing up during different speeches and admired how stoic the family members were.  He was laid to rest in Cave Hill Cemetery. This city mourned, celebrated, and came together to celebrate the life of this hometown hero. RIP, CHAMP.  RIP!

My trip to the Ren Faire this weekend has been pushed to next weekend, which is good…because I think I would have melted out there today.  I want to get out and about at some point because I don’t do well just sitting around the apartment on a Sunday, but it will be in air conditioning.

Anyone else happy to have the warmer temps?  What is your favorite part of summer?

Stay warm…or cool…or however you like it!