A personal, grade-school like, essay on why JRod (I probably shouldn’t refer to myself in the 3rd person) thinks the summer kicks @$$!

In case you haven’t checked your calendars, assuming people still use those antiquated devices, it’s officially the summer! To be precise, we are on day numero tres of summer ‘09, and although my summer technically has been going strong for about two months, everyone is now free to enjoy this great season.

Of course everyone has their own favorite aspects of the summer. Hell, some people probably hate it. But, I thought I’d start off your morning by sharing what I like so much about the period from June-August. And what better way to do it than in a top five, list, format? I’d like to stress that this list is in no way comprehensive, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the S & F staff as a whole. Feel free to add, subtract, or come up with your own list entirely in the comments. Oh…and this list is not necessarily in any particular order.

5. Walking: It doesn’t sound too exciting, but walking has become sort of a past time for me. It essentially has become my main form of exercise these days, which being close to 20 lbs. over my desired weight, is essential. Of course walking can be done anytime of the year, but in the upper Midwest it’s the only time of the year you can wear shorts and a t-shirt, not three layers of clothing, at any point during the day and be comfortable. It also doesn’t hurt that I live a short jaunt away from a beach that is frequented by eye candy on warm summer days.

4. Sam Adams Summer Ale: I may not be the most interesting man in the World, but when I drink beer I prefer Samuel Adams. And in the summer nothing hits the spot like a Sam Adams Summer Ale. I could’ve just said beer, but I’m hoping someone from Sam Adams reads this and sends me a free six pack.

3. Grilling: The perfect pairing with a Sam Adams, or your beer of choice, grilling is definitely a summer only activity here in Minnesota. Nothing against the great invention that is the George Forman Grill, but a burger, brat, hot dog, steak, or piece of chicken just isn’t the same as when it’s grilled. Besides the food, grilling allows for you to soak in some rays and converse with your amigos, assuming you have any.

2. Golf: I’m not talking about the U.S. Open or even the PGA Championship, I’m talking about getting out on the course and playing yourself. Although this is the first year I’ve actually golfed on a consistent basis, I know that your window of opportunity to play one of the most frustrating sports around, is limited to the summer. Unless of course you’re fortunate enough to live in Florida, California, Arizona, or one of those other warm-year-round locations. Besides the enjoyment one gets from a great tee shot, it’s also a great way to kill half a day out in the sun. There’s no better way, besides mowing the lawn, to work on your farmer’s tan.

1. Baseball: Nothing says summer like baseball. Baseball is as synonymous with America as apple pie, mom, red-white-and-blue, and big trucks. Just ask Wade Boggs, he’ll back me up. Unfortunately, I can’t really speak from experience about taking in a baseball game, outdoors, in the sun. I’ve had to suffer through the Metrodome years. But, from what I see on television, it looks pretty nice. Heck, during the summer I get a kick out of just watching day baseball on television, weak I know. And while baseball may no longer be the most popular sport out there, I still consider it America’s past time. It also just happens to go great with other summer pros, beer, grilling and sun. You can’t beat that, at least not until football season rolls around.

Well that concludes my list of things that I feel make summer great. I open up the debate to you readers to critique my list and create some of your own. Knowing the readership, I fully expect some great items that I surely forgot.

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