The calendar says today is July 13. This is the 23rd day of summer.

There’s no crispness in the air. Only 99 percent humidity.

There are no pumpkins offered at our new Farmers Market. Instead, vendors are offering plenty of tomatoes, corn and cucumbers.

There are no signs of fall. So why does it feel like summer is nearly over?

Because school starts on August 4 in the South Panola district.

Since I don’t have a child in school anymore, can’t I indulge myself in enjoying and prolonging the season and ignoring the back-to-school frenzy that engulfs our community as soon as smoke has cleared from the Fourth-of-July fireworks?

There’s a lot of summertime left, y’all.

I want to lie on a raft in the swimming pool. I want to go fishing with a cane pole and a red-striped cork. I want to sit in the porch swing and sip raspberry iced tea and read a book.

I want to slap mosquitoes, watch the hummingbirds, play badminton, pick wildflowers, grill hotdogs,  and count lightning bugs.

I haven’t had my fill of watermelon or tomato sandwiches or lemonade or blackberry cobbler.

When the blast of coolness from the Panolian’s a/c unit produces goose bumps on my arms, I like it that I can step outside and cure the shivers immediately.

I’m flip-flopping my way through summer, dreading the day I have to swap my sandals for socks and boots.

I want to go out and buy a new sundress, but stores are putting out their fall sweaters.

Slow down, retailers. Don’t pack away those plastic pool floats to make room for backpacks and protractors.

We still have 71 days of summer left.

I wish summer could go on forev…

Now when do football tickets go on sale?