Snow Cones + Smurf Smiles

>> Do YOU have FISHING

PICS? Send us a line (see what we did there?) + submit pics to sue@ lakelifemagazine.com.

>> Pssst! We like you super big bunches. And we hope you like us, too.

Give us a ‘like’ on Facebook + a follow on Instagram @ lakelifemag. Visit our new website, too (bossy, aren’t we?)— and join the fun on lakelifemagazine.com.

>> August means DOG DAYS of summer… so send pics of your Fido (or Spot or Fluffy) to sue@lakelifemagazine.com!

You know, they don’t tell you blueberry snow cones turn the entiirrree mouth blue.

Some lessons were just hard-learned for a ponytailed gal on the ballfields of Chicagoland.

The place was Reed-Keppler’s Park, a.k.a. our family’s other summer home.

If we weren’t going to Tom’s baseball game, it was Dave’s. And if neither said athletic brotherlys were on the schedule, this runt of the pack had a softball game.

Baseball was Tom’s forte. He was superb; always in the paper for this catch or that, or ‘gosh, what a second baseman we have here,’ I’d decipher through an exaggerated sisterly eyerollll. Dave was a good baseball player, too, but basically anything the rest of us can do, Dave can do better. He just can. So there’s that.

Then there was this pipsqueak. I wasn’t so good at softball. The crowd never audibly moaned, but I never gave reason to cheer either. One season I struck out oh, every time I went to the plate. And during what sealed my final season, it was my throat that dropped to the dirt a strong line drive. Upon impact, I, too, dropped to the dirt. Then, as my tough teammate Rozzie went after the batter (as if it was her fault), I lay on the ground gasping for air. At that moment I decided my time at the ballpark was best spent eating blueberry snow cones and telling jokes with my pals. And, yes, the ump’ stopped Rozzie before any further damage was done (but thanks for the support, Rozz’).

It was a good life. And despite minor injury, it was a good experience. Good memories. And it was my good buddy, Troy, who finally told me my mouth was always blue. Was I mortified? Nope, I thought it was hilarious. Lucky for him, he chose cherry.

Yes, July brings back memories at the ballfields. Of snow cones, the crack of a bat (not held by me, of course), fireworks over the park, grilled BBQ chicken, hot dogs, laughter, sweaty faces, green grass, parades, and our fabulous American flag. July reminds me of lit sparklers, fireflies, fireworks, watching stars from the pier, and not giving one single itty-bitty rip that I’d been smilin’ all over with a Smurfy mouth.

These moments and more are what we wanted to capture in this issue. To help you, too, relive and celebrate summer’s sweetness of July. The brilliant sunshine. Fabulously fun water splashes + serene waterside moments all the same. I’m proud to be an American. Let’s celebrate this country’s birthday perhaps as never before. Hug your family and friends. Fly your flag. Laugh unabashedly. Be safe + be intentionally aware of each precious moment. Life is a gift.

And if you’ve got an oblivious Smurf-mouth among your group, let her be. She may not be as unaware as she seems.

Enjoy this July issue, readers. And may God bless our America.

Warmly,

Sue Executive-Editor-Who-Still-Loves-Blueberry-Snow-Cones