From the Editor

By Stephen Sapp

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy . . . .” “Hot town, summer in the city . . . .” “Trees swayin’ in the summer breeze . . . .” “The summer wind came blowin’ in from across the sea . . . .” “Summer loving had me a blast Summer loving happened so fast . . . .” “Them summer days Those summer days . . . .” “Summer breeze makes me feel fine Blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind . . . .”

Of the many recordings that are considered “summer songs,” I am sure we all have our personal favorites that evoke for us the feeling of summer when we hear them, and there is definitely something special about “those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” (the “hazy” part for sure applies to this summer for everyone!). The same can be said for the numerous summer activities available to us, some of which can be enjoyed right here in Lakeport or nearby (sadly, the Lake Thoreau pool renovation will not be completed in time for our enjoyment this summer).

It is essential, however, that we all exercise special caution when engaging in outdoor activities during the summer, especially this year when “Earth’s hottest day ever recorded” seems to have been occurring almost daily. At the least, remember to use sunscreen every time you go out and to stay hydrated. This chart just released by the Nicholas Institute’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University includes important warning signs of heat-related illness and cooling strategies you can use to stay safe, with or without access to air conditioning.

I want to end this somewhat nostalgic reflection on summer with a well-known line from one of my favorite TV shows of the 1980s, “Hill Street Blues,” in which Sergeant Phil Esterhaus always concluded morning roll call, “Hey, let's be careful out there.”  

If you have comments about this Summer issue of Ripples and/or would like to submit an item for our Spring issue, please email me at ssapp@miami.edu.