It’s a Girl Thing

Every summer, I meet my “sisters” for a beach vacation. Over the years, we 16 women, who met through our jobs, have supported one another through illnesses, deaths, births, rebellious teenagers, career changes, divorces, marriages. Our summer reunion keeps me going throughout the year.
Beth Kirch
Athens, Georgia

My best friend from college and I pick an organized run somewhere fun to participate in. We’ve done everything from a 10K in Cape Cod to the Covered Bridges Half Marathon, in Woodstock, Vermont. We live several states apart but train together in spirit, motivating each other by phone, e-mail, and snail mail to start running after the Christmas holidays. It gets us in shape for summer, ensures that we see each other every year, and is a great way to visit this country one town or city at a time.
Stephanie Clayton
Chicago, Illinois

Great Tastes

Every year, on "Raspberry Jam Day," my sister and I drive to a beautiful farm on the Rappahannock River and spend the morning picking berries. Then we go home and make big batches of jam we get to enjoy all year long.
Carol Baker
Richmond, Virginia

My favorite piece of summer: digging out the ice cream maker, combining the sugar and cream, sitting around the machine as it twirls the sweet mixture…waiting…waiting…then finally grabbing spoons, filling bowls, and enjoying homemade ice cream on the front porch with my family.
Lisa Smart
Athens, Georgia

The ritual that means summer to me is picking the first juicy red tomato and eating it still warm from the sun while standing in the garden contemplating what our harvest will bring.
Karen Morrow
Clarksville, Tennessee

I mix up some margaritas, break out the Bob Marley CDs, and dance while dinner is sizzling on the grill.
Meredith Tennant
San Diego, California

Best thing about summer: a feast of Champagne and lobsters. We put on music, boil the lobsters, melt the butter, and pop the cork on a good Taittinger — a perfect match.
Emily S.
West New York, New Jersey