The weather we’ve had in 2003 to date has been terrible. Snow, more snow, blizzard, snow, rain, thunderstorms, rain…it’s almost June and it’s barely been 70 degrees! Mariann’s current Weekly Wrapup is about summer, but it feels like wishful thinking.

1. Do you like summer? Why or why not?
This was the question I was waiting for back in the winter. I absolutely adore summer, because I like to be warm; the humidity we usually have in this region doesn’t bother me too much. I prefer to step out of the house as free as possible, without a winter coat and all that cold-weather gear weighing me down.

2. What is your favorite summer activity? Why?
Kayaking, of course. It’s lovely to drag my hands through the water - I tend to use closed-deck boats, but on the sit-on-top in Grenada I got to put my feet in too - and be comfortable.

3. What is your favorite summer destination? Why?
I don’t really have a favorite destination, there’s nowhere in particular that I go to on a regular basis. When I was young my family attended SUUSI regularly, but I can’t afford to go anymore.

4. What are your summer plans for 2003?
It’s going to be a busy season! Next weekend is :MK:’s bridal shower and bachelorette party, and then the wedding is on June 20th. In late July we’re going to King’s Dominion - I haven’t been in at least a decade, and when I was young I was terrified of the roller coasters, so this will be a good chance to add to my track record. In August we’re going to the beach (I’m not sure which one, but :MK:’s fiancé’s family has a timeshare somewhere), and in September I’m hoping to go to Hersheypark. We’ll probably have season passes to Six Flags America again, too.

5. Would you be in favor of rotating long breaks for school-aged kids so that there aren’t as many out at the same time during summer? Why or why not?
To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about year-round schooling. I know there’s a program called Extended School Year that provides additional support for children with disabilities and their families, and of course I endorse that for children who would benefit from such an arrangement.