June 2018

THE LAST WORD
It’s all about summer
by Barbara Negron
I grew up in New York, so summer was a very exciting
time for us. It meant my dad opening the pool and
getting it ready for us. It meant Saturdays at the beach
and barbeques in the backyard. It was lazy days in the
hammock and complaining half-heartedly about the heat.
We would go to Lake Ronkonkoma for the day and to
Heckscher State Park for the yearly free concert with the
New York Symphony. Being out of school was the best
part, and we were never bored.
Abacus Animal Hospital
When I moved to Florida, I was married and had the first
two of my own children. My family loved the summerlike
weather year round. After a while, I began to miss
the changing seasons. I enjoyed the first chill of winter
and breaking out the big pot to make stews and soups.
Baking and cooking were my favorite parts of winter. The
first few years I was here I used to turn my AC way down
and then bake. Now, when the temperature hits 70, its
cool enough for me to do ‘up north’ cooking. My sisters,
two of whom are still north of me, think I’m nuts. I’ve been
here more than 30 years and feel like a Floridian. I will
never forget my New York roots and how I cherished each
season, but I do enjoy the Florida seasons too. The joke
is there are two seasons in Florida: hot and hotter. Only a
trained eye can recognize the season changes in Florida
and I now have that eye.
These were some of my favorite memories of growing
up, but my favorite is going to the beach. It still is one of
my favorite pastimes. There is something about being at
the edge of the ocean, soaking up the sun, and relaxing
that brings a sense of contentment. I find it soothing and
therapeutic.
When I think of vacation, I think of going to a beach
somewhere else in the world. On my bucket list are two of
these vacations. One is a week stay in the Maldives in one
of the hotels that are built on the ocean and a week stay
in Durban, Africa. It probably won’t happen for me, but I
can dream. P
Abacus Animal Hospital
Abacus Animal Hospital is a one doctor
practice offering PERSONALIZED attention
and care for your pets
at our Clinic, your Home, or
Place of Business!
954-755-0055
10872 Wiles Road
between Coral Springs Dr. & Coral Ridge Rd.
www.abacusanimalhospital.com
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JUNE 2018