Bring on July

Welcome to July, everyone!

Flags are flying. Heat is happening. Lawns are leaping. Gardens are growing. The sun is shining. Critters are crawling. Worms are wiggling. Fruits are falling. Picnics are popping. Fish are flopping in the rivers. Reunions are refreshing. Golf is gleeful. Vacations are vanishing. Marriages are in the making.

And I am a happy person. I am loving the heat, after shivering throughout most of the year, it seems.

The Farmer's Markets are happening in every town, large and small, on Saturday mornings and Tuesday, starting at 3 p.m. Ours in Siloam Springs is held in City Park and we were there recently to check out the merchandise. I came home with a couple of unusual (to me) pepper plants to put into our garden. Also some cilantro for seasoning the Mexican foods that we like at our house. And some homemade bread that we enjoy, especially toasted. The Farmers Market is a delight throughout the season, offering homegrown eggs, home-baked goods, fruits, veggies, and many other lovely things. Come by to see, sniff and buy, I encourage you.

And, to add to my list of July happenings: the horseshoes are clanking, at least in our backyard where my husband and I built, a few years ago, a horseshoe court according to specifications. The measurements are correct in accord with the horseshoe associations -- the stakes at a certain angle, the cement pads alongside the stakes at a comfortable placement for the pitchers to stand on while tossing the shoes. We built the whole thing to try to be in a bit of shade for a time while throwing and have since planted a few more trees alongside, with plans for more yet. We also placed some deck chairs and benches so a "gallery" can watch the proceedings. At our house, it can be a family event when the weather will allow and when the right group is gathered -- those who like to pitch and those who enjoy watching. Just recently, although it was still June at the time, our son-in-law arranged for a good buddy of his to bring his four teenagers over to our place for some horseshoe pitching. The lovely part of it was that they brought supper and we contributed the homemade ice cream and cupcakes to celebrate our daughter and husband's third anniversary so it was a momentous occasion in the kitchen and in the backyard. The teens all enjoyed the horseshoe pitching and my husband offered for them to come over again soon and often for more of the same, encouraging them that consistency is the name of the game in any competition or sport. We hope they will; they were a good bunch of young people and we have long ago decided to try to surround ourselves with young people throughout our lifetimes, knowing the advantages are many.

The July 4 happenings around the area always add to the excitement of summer. When I was a child, our family often spent the Fourth at a nearby state park/lake for a picnic with an aunt and uncle and cousins and we youngsters enjoyed a swim in the lake. Those were the days before a great emphasis on the fireworks was part of the observance. Mainly, drawing on my own memories, the emphasis was on family celebrations and thus was ours. My sisters and I always hoped that our dad and his brother, with whom we would share the Fourth observance if it happened, would not be putting up hay, so we could go ahead and celebrate. One of my favorite childhood memories is of the day when we were not certain if we would be going to the park and lake. But Mom was resourceful and was always able to go with the flow, so she was preparing for our going, if we were able to and if Dad gave the go-ahead. So she prepared the fried chicken and accompanying food, all the while fixing swimming suits for my sis and myself. She sewed little (we were about six and eight) ruffled midriff tops and shorts and they made very suitable outfits for entering the water. Today, they would never do, but we were not so stuffy in those days and not nearly so judgmental of our mom, as would be today's kids. We happily wore those little "swimming costumes" and were tickled to death that Dad was not putting up hay on that day -- not realizing that farming in Iowa always included corn, beans and hay as the mainstays of our father's crops which meant, ultimately, food on our table. On July 4, in Siloam Springs, the fireworks display, beginning at sundown, will be offered at our local airport grounds -- an early arrival will make for much enjoyment.

When I mentioned that "marriages are in the making," I was actually thinking of our grandson, who will be married at the end of July at poolside of friends of his mother and dad, our son and wife. It will be a very happy day, one we have anticipated for quite some time. Our Galveston grandsons will have flown here for a week or so, and will be able to attend, if all goes according to plans. The bride showed me her dress the other day, a very pretty one. Her son and the 18-month-old son of the couple will serve as ring bearers with the older boy pulling the little guy in a little wagon -- away from the pool, we hope! When I asked the bride-to-be if her betrothed had yet seen the dress, she said no, then, "We are trying to have some things done traditionally." I knew what she meant and appreciated her humor about it. Part of the tradition will be for one of the pastors from our son's church to officiate. Our son (the groom's dad) and daughter will sing, a beautiful touch, we think. We wish the bridal couple well in all of their family's future together.

The late June Siloam Springs Rodeo was postponed due to the June rains that came as a result of Tropical Storm Bill, up from the coast south of Galveston. All of that means there will be a rodeo here at the rodeo grounds in July, making this month a happy one for the rodeo riders. Pay attention to the Herald-Leader for the particulars and enjoy the horses, and all of what July gives to us!

-- Jan Mullikin is a Siloam Springs resident and former employee of the Herald-Leader. She can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.