Celebrate Summer

Mar 30, 2013 - Dr Rekha Shetty

Summer is waiting, crouching in the shadows to leap upon us with an orange roar of colour, heat and sweat. In the drama of the four seasons, summer is the brightest. The Kashmir valley celebrates the Tulip festival in April at Siraj Bagh, clasped in embrace of the scenic Zabrawan range in Srinagar. Nearly 60 varieties of beautiful tulips worship the sun in over five hectares of land.

Imagine a living carpet caressed by the cool summer breeze, woven by the great architect of the universe Himself! It is a changing kaleidoscope of red, yellow, variegated pink, white, orange, light blue and magenta.
Summer too is like that, let us decide to enjoy the joy and vibrancy of the season and push the discomfort to the back of our minds. Celebrate summer in the evening breezes in flower-strewn gardens and lazy beaches. Celebrate with raw mango juice and lime sherbet. This is the season for a luxury bath — set apart time for your tryst with cool water sprays in the pool and in the bath. Wear a cool attitude and retreat to cool air-conditioned spaces at noon, instead of testing your tolerance with outdoor tasks.
Create a water spot for people who walk past your house. Fill the birdbaths and set out water for the squirrels. Plant the colourful, short-lived summer flowers. Float them in water, in artistic wide-mouthed pots. Happy summer holidays!

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