Summer, at night:

I've been walking the dog a few nights over the past few weeks. While he sniffs at everything, I think about what summer means to me. A summer night should have the crickets chirping loud enough that one can barely hear fireworks over them. The fireflies should light up every now and then, to remind you that they're there. It should smell like honeysuckle, but not too strongly. It should be about 80, and humid, but not dripping. The most perfect summer night I can think of was going to Piedmont Park with a couple of friends. We bought FO's from the Varsity, put the Braves on a small portable radio, and sat on the grass and didn't really say anything. The evening changed to night and we just listened. That was summer.