Reader Challenges
10 Word Summer Memories
We all have favorite memories of warm, lazy days of summer: an afternoon on a sunbleached dock, a family vacation, a runny ice cream cone at the county fair. We're challenging you to share your favorite summer memory in just 10 words.
Replies (135)
Posted by
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Gorgeous beach in Mexico, stack of books, and ice-cold beer!
Jun 25, 2010 1:44 pm
by Lolabean -
Seducing North-Sea crabs to climb aboard cloth pins holding shrimp.
Jun 28, 2010 8:20 am
by ClairePolders -
Jersey Shore, sunburned shoulders, going to bed on ironed sheets.
Jun 28, 2010 8:26 am
by eileenweir -
Waking up every morning to the whippoorwill's song meant Summer.
Jun 28, 2010 8:49 am
by SusanGrimes -
Crying my eyes out the Sunday I left summer camp.
Jun 28, 2010 8:58 am
by ibbyla -
Double somersault off the diving board, ice cream with sprinkles!
Jun 28, 2010 9:18 am
by laurie1b -
Family reunion: barbecue, blues, backyard dancing, San alive and smiling.
Jun 28, 2010 9:25 am
by Aadarshini27 -
Sea turtle hatchlings bubbling over nest and out to sea.
Jun 28, 2010 9:36 am
by jmfausti -
My screen door, bringing the cool of the day in...
Jun 28, 2010 9:39 am
by WordActress -
Traditional parade in Zacatecas my family arranged for my arrival.
Jun 28, 2010 10:08 am
by breakxcore -
Three month assignment in Austin. Hard work. Lots of play.
Jun 28, 2010 10:31 am
by cresswga -
Age 12, my bedroom, nighttime breeze, Rubber Soul on stereo
Jun 28, 2010 10:31 am
by chuckthrockmorton -
Climbing Catalonia's holy mountain -- 2800m breathtaking view -- returning to BEER!
Jun 28, 2010 10:59 am
by vedin -
No school, no shoes, Good Humor bells, fireflies, water sprinklers.
Jun 28, 2010 11:23 am
by patk -
Balmy Breezes, Brand new Books, Beer, Burgers, Bare feet...Beautiful!
Jun 28, 2010 11:44 am
by moengey -
Long Island Sound, salt, sand, sun, swimming, I was young!
Jun 28, 2010 12:17 pm
by mogul -
The smell of dew on the grass in the morning.
Jun 28, 2010 2:22 pm
by jabhatti -
Hot days in the sun, cool hours spent at the Carnegie Library.
Jun 28, 2010 2:31 pm
by Cheryle -
kchee, kchee, kchee, water sprinklers. swimming pools, day camp, ants.
Jun 28, 2010 2:51 pm
by connerb -
Cape Cod, big house, hooded sweatshirts, COLD ocean, horseshoe crabs...
Jun 28, 2010 3:23 pm
by lskohn -
Cicadas chirping, bluejays scolding, freshly mown grass, sunburns and mosquitos.
Jun 28, 2010 3:25 pm
by pfabrizio -
Sitting in the back seat "Are we there yet Dad?".
Jun 28, 2010 3:33 pm
by Hielanman -
1968,Berkshires, bestfriend, silent nights, blue-eyed farmer, homemade donuts.
Jun 28, 2010 4:09 pm
by livinonthecrowrock -
Aswim in pool, best friend's girl: stolen kiss, smiling eyes
Jun 28, 2010 4:40 pm
by tmh176 -
Babies laughing, children playing, dogs barking. family gathered. Perfect Day!!!
Jun 28, 2010 5:07 pm
by salanjo -
North Eastham, walking the flats, feeling crabs pinch our bare feet.
Jun 28, 2010 5:29 pm
by Oleander -
Paris 1956 three friends sitting as one reads Howl!
Jun 28, 2010 5:41 pm
by gjhoerner -
Grand Canyon: Most look, drive off. I looked all summer.
Jun 28, 2010 5:43 pm
by mandosally -
In the garden, warm from the blade, the freckled cheefulness of an heirloom tomato
Jun 28, 2010 6:25 pm
by ctpomodoro -
Marathon (in the Florida Keys), just graduated from H.S., training dolphins (wonderful job), scuba diving, water skiing, planning trip to Bahamas, great friends, evenings around bon fires on the beach, diving for huge lobsters to cook on the fire, who could ask for more - why did I move??? Oh, Yeah, college!!!
Jun 28, 2010 6:40 pm
by BobbiJ -
night, sex with David as the river rushed by us
Jun 28, 2010 7:43 pm
by sci-sdl -
Watermelon under the tree, blueberry popsicles, corn on the cob.
Jun 28, 2010 7:56 pm
by kogawa -
I stood atop the EIfel Tower and said, "Hello Paris."
Jun 28, 2010 8:17 pm
by SamanthaC -
Running in sweltering heat, waiting in pouring rain. I medalled!
Jun 28, 2010 8:21 pm
by CMBernal -
Alfalfa scent rises, in hot morning sun, my New Jersey field.
Jun 28, 2010 8:35 pm
by ntnt -
Catch lightning bugs...nail holes in jar lid...bring home!
Jun 28, 2010 11:07 pm
by moengey -
Summer afternoon library books crumple a quilt under the elm.
Jun 28, 2010 11:46 pm
by bookmonster -
Seeing wife and dog on beach in matching bath robes.
Jun 29, 2010 12:56 am
by LordMutton -
Watermelon cold from the spring, cracks under the knife.
Jun 29, 2010 1:10 am
by jshroyer -
Warm tomato. Lick, then salt. Juicy goodness from grandma's garden.
Jun 29, 2010 1:51 am
by ebaltodano -
Sun warmed tomato. Lick, then salt. Love from grandma's garden.
Jun 29, 2010 1:57 am
by ebaltodano -
White string bikini, baby oil sun protection, first kiss...lifeguard...
Jun 29, 2010 2:07 am
by smartinmom -
Scent of mud, monsoon, washing, midnight cold breeze and mangoes.
Jun 29, 2010 2:17 am
by sanket.dhingra -
Sitting out with neighborhood kids, waiting for sunset and sprinklers
Jun 29, 2010 3:44 am
by mateekaq -
Hopscotching down the hot cement, waiting cold treats from Mom.
Jun 29, 2010 4:37 am
by sassysammy -
Noon Wake, Bake, Beer, Food, Whiskey, Dance, Woman, Rubber, Breakfast
Jun 29, 2010 5:01 am
by apjfive -
Age 12. My first St. Louis Cardinals baseball game!
Jun 29, 2010 8:02 am
by veronicasoaib -
Flying through the big sky country astride a magnificent horse.
Jun 29, 2010 8:05 am
by Mosaic -
Fireflies lighting the way as evening slides into starry nights.
Jun 29, 2010 8:31 am
by rosebudjen -
Sticky hands, hay bales, trampoline, crickets, combines, barefeet, river flowing.
Jun 29, 2010 9:26 am
by kblvssm -
Morning walks in the woods, children running not far ahead.
Jun 29, 2010 9:39 am
by higgins540 -
Peace, breath slowly. Smell: heat, coconut suntan lotion, salt water
Jun 29, 2010 9:52 am
by carolinascott -
Camp rainy day: pickupstix on cabin floor; reading in bunk
Jun 29, 2010 9:56 am
by namllu -
cleats, shinguards, coaching soccer, watching world cup, coaching soccer, goooooooal!!
Jun 29, 2010 10:12 am
by jay.willms -
Family trips to Eagle Creek Park; hiking, boating, watching deer.
Jun 29, 2010 10:58 am
by merrybones -
Cape Cod sand, sticky VW bug, delicious cold tap water.
Jun 29, 2010 11:01 am
by kristinmusing -
Reclining dock-side beside her, watching the aurora borealis sparkle magically.
Jun 29, 2010 11:30 am
by Neysa -
Sand in my fudgcicle at the Jersey Shore. Crunch, crunch.
Jun 29, 2010 11:46 am
by mrsfreeze -
Childhood Games, Texas Heat, Streetlights on, Inside we go.
Jun 29, 2010 11:56 am
by SuzanneBastien -
Ply my bare toes through the sand with warm expectancy.
Jun 29, 2010 12:14 pm
by candace2932 -
Cold chocolate milk from the milkman, only twenty-seven cents.
Jun 29, 2010 12:55 pm
by deirdre1952 -
Train ride to Florida to visit relatives alone at 14.
Jun 29, 2010 4:09 pm
by dsibley -
Sweet brioche with Mandorla granita, the brilliant azzurro Sicilian coast.
Jun 29, 2010 4:18 pm
by corsadeltempo -
Baseball, MaryLou, my Border Collie, Curly, @Barrie Playground, Oak Park.
Jun 29, 2010 5:59 pm
by marcelainne -
Summer of disconntent: Las Vegas heat, bars, fights, love, lost
Jun 29, 2010 7:02 pm
by sherrireid -
Eating hot dogs and drinking Cokes at a family picnic.
Jun 29, 2010 11:07 pm
by moengey -
sunshine,friends,endless chat,endless happiness.
Jun 29, 2010 11:55 pm
by hpm46 -
New job
No vacation time yet
Staring out window moroselyJun 30, 2010 4:57 am
by beckkiview24 -
ice-boat, swimsuits, fishermen at dawn, infinite
minus electricity, telephones, roadsJun 30, 2010 5:49 am
by lisbie -
time suspended
black sand
swimsuits from dawn
sleep with wavesJun 30, 2010 5:50 am
by lisbie -
Cotton Candy, Barefeet, Aunt's house, Cousins, Lazy warm summer rain!
Jun 30, 2010 11:18 am
by BOOKNERD19 -
Black raspberries still hot from the sun, eaten while barefoot.
Jun 30, 2010 12:51 pm
by Kenyon85 -
Fireflies, glass Mason jars, barefoot on pine needle carpet.
Jun 30, 2010 4:10 pm
by 42wmoses -
The smell of honeysuckle blowing through curtains in the morning.
Jun 30, 2010 6:10 pm
by aimee07 -
My dad grounds the boat, forcing us to fish, clam, and relax until the tide changes.
Jul 1, 2010 3:36 am
by suesa -
Sandcastlebuilding at seaside in Nieuwpoort, Belgium & eating to many strawberries
Jul 1, 2010 3:59 am
by Kiribati -
red wine, full moon, cool breeze, rushing waves, tender kisses!
Jul 1, 2010 5:03 am
by ladybeth22 -
An Austin Healey, 60's music, the Pacific, and a kiss!
Jul 1, 2010 10:35 am
by yorkiemom -
Terry "nursed" his cone, I devoured mine--like the summer
Jul 1, 2010 11:43 am
by BashoKatzenjammer -
Naked each morning in my Oregon backyard, peeing on weeds.
Jul 1, 2010 11:45 am
by BashoKatzenjammer -
Barefoot in the dark, fireflies, Moonpies, grape NiHi, running, laughing.
Jul 1, 2010 2:48 pm
by wrtbestseller -
SATURDAY...in the Park...I think it was the 4th-of-July...
Jul 1, 2010 3:23 pm
by moengey -
by the lake, smell of coppertone, grape soda in hand
Jul 1, 2010 4:26 pm
by pnacks -
syrupy sweet drips a ripe peach freshly picked and bitten.
Jul 1, 2010 10:23 pm
by nogr8rluv -
Getting drunk for the first time with my best friends.
Jul 2, 2010 11:56 am
by scythianlingo -
Summer 2010: When I met the man of my dreams
Jul 2, 2010 12:22 pm
by kburgio -
Parents lancing my sunburn blisters. They're late- skin cancer survives.
Jul 2, 2010 3:03 pm
by Eomt -
Skinny dipping
a waterfall in Massachusettes
pure dellightJul 2, 2010 4:25 pm
by SPElias -
riding a two-wheeler, no hands, eating an ice cream.
Jul 2, 2010 4:51 pm
by scottory -
Summer days of riding my bike through the country side of Canada in 1964.
Jul 2, 2010 6:54 pm
by fwilli45 -
Morning trails around New Hampshire lakes, large mists rolling in.
Jul 2, 2010 10:23 pm
by dawnrays -
Nestled between the roots of a tall elm tree, dreaming.
Jul 2, 2010 10:32 pm
by acbobl -
received the first reading email from this website.
Jul 3, 2010 1:47 am
by Cathy812 -
white peaches, a bull in heat, irritable-nanny goat. (tenwords,right?)
Jul 3, 2010 9:07 am
by Quill -
All day at Hunington Beach with friends. Came home burnt.
Jul 3, 2010 11:11 am
by mstrust -
Outdoor bath, Heart's Content, feel of Jim's kick in my belly.
Jul 3, 2010 12:56 pm
by maggie_dory -
Holiday in Newfoundland! Visiting Gros Morne, Viking settlement & DAUGHTER!
Jul 3, 2010 1:29 pm
by PMCGOLDRICK -
A day at the beach followed by clams at Woodman's.
Jul 3, 2010 9:13 pm
by donnalynn -
Missouri 1974 - more shades of green than I'd ever seen!
Jul 4, 2010 8:31 am
by stitcher1959 -
Lots and lots of reading! Also tennis lessons and road trips nationwide with my family. But my very favorite was a whirlwind European tour with my best friend, with adventures (and challenges) that I will never forget!
Jul 4, 2010 1:20 pm
by molek -
day at the beach followed
Jul 5, 2010 10:48 am
by dsdincsoftware -
Watching fireworks in VW convertible with music, drinks and friends.
Jul 6, 2010 3:07 pm
by FrankieB -
Flip flops, Sunblock scent, watermelon, beach, reading, homegrown tomatoes, biking, white peaches, playing Jax, fireworks
Jul 6, 2010 6:54 pm
by Vreader -
Awaiting that last school bell to ring,leave out of school unbuttoning my white uniform shirt,untucking it from my uniform skirt and looking forward to going home having dinner and listening to the crickets and owls bring the summer evening
Into focus.making plans to do something extraordinary that summer:)
Looking forward to making a difference in the community...opening an icream stand,leomaid stand...
And making state finals in softball!!! There's nothing better...anticipation.Jul 7, 2010 7:37 am
by FemmeContrarian -
Growing up in Northern Louisiana always had something in store for me my brothers and sister.
Preparing for the country fair...and earning more cub scout badges for my brothers and girl scout
Badges for science projects...:) those days helped me to become very well rounded indiviual..
It always game me something to look forward to..most especially now.
.Jul 7, 2010 7:45 am
by FemmeContrarian -
Climbing the mountain behind my grandmother's house with my cousins.
Jul 9, 2010 5:57 pm
by Cataryna -
Intern-reporter in a newspaper, serious fun! met someone too.
Jul 12, 2010 11:21 am
by distantstar -
45 degrees Celsius, Vietnam has never been hotter. Please rain.
Jul 13, 2010 11:06 am
by wrekage -
Starry nights, stolen beer, guiding a canoe under the stars
Jul 15, 2010 11:32 pm
by Sublimechica -
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, sleep.
Jul 26, 2010 11:53 am
by delanojsheffield -
Hay rides, frozen candy bars, time suspended to dawdle mindlessly.
Jul 31, 2010 6:33 pm
by dreamdust -
Knowing, even when I'm alone, that I've caring, wonderful friends. (Summer 2010)
Aug 3, 2010 4:05 am
by rosesareread -
No School, Barefoot, Barbeques, Camping, Fishing, Stars, Horses, Horses, Horses.
Oct 12, 2010 1:03 pm
by wrinkleranch -
Growing up in Northern Louisiana always had something in store for me my brothers and sister.
Preparing for the country fair...and earning more cub scout badges for my brothers and girl scout
Badges for science projects...:) those days helped me to become very well rounded indiviual..
It always game me something to look forward to..most especially now.Oct 12, 2010 10:05 pm
by Esie -
Hay rides, frozen candy bars, time suspended to dawdle mindlessly.
Oct 12, 2010 10:08 pm
by Esie -
I met my future wife and got a great job online.
Oct 18, 2010 8:55 am
by Simwillis1 -
Tiny butterflies fluttering by, and landing on the red roses.
Oct 30, 2010 6:44 pm
by marymc -
Sun shines warmheartedly on the icy shores of Lake Superior.
Nov 1, 2010 11:32 am
by margiemcguire -
Squatting down to pick blueberries, and eating every second one.
Nov 21, 2010 2:24 am
by d29e30 -
Hot, very Hot!
Humid New Jersey
Love the Air ConditioningDec 1, 2010 8:29 pm
by tyresa -
Having a private library all to myself for one summer.
Jul 31, 2011 8:13 am
by ekbp -
Alexis, in her swimming pool, wearing that little white bikini...
Jul 31, 2011 8:24 am
by ekbp -
Romance...cute boy gave me comics, dinners, flowers, and kisses!
Aug 1, 2011 4:28 pm
by Xena13 -
Parents discussing, in German, if we could get Ice Cream.
Aug 1, 2011 6:06 pm
by juliefallone -
Eating mulberries straight off the tree, going home dyed purple!
Aug 3, 2011 10:38 am
by khouse29 -
Picking concord grapes off the vines at Mr. Wood's house.
Aug 3, 2011 10:40 am
by khouse29 -
Warm scents from the garden wafting through the open windows
Aug 3, 2011 5:00 pm
by kaharvey153 -
Sun shines bright through the gap where Luca's tooth was.
Aug 9, 2011 6:54 pm
by lchasson -
Hallelujia! She came back! So then, it IS really love!"
Aug 9, 2011 8:12 pm
by BashoKatzenjammer -
Lying on the terrace and gazing at the starry sky.
Aug 10, 2011 1:48 am
by aalasanthosh -
Standing amidst Redwood giants with my loving husband, awestruck.
Aug 10, 2011 9:40 am
by spacheco -
Warm, humid, foggy nights by the harbour, hoping to catch a firefly glow in the marsh grass.
Aug 11, 2011 11:44 pm
by DayLily -
Planting sunflower seeds and watching them grow day by day!
Aug 12, 2011 7:13 am
by ccbowen -
New book, cool breeze, shade tree, tall drink, birds singing
Aug 14, 2011 7:11 am
by miselke -
Being sixteen, floating on Schultz's pond in an inner tube
Aug 24, 2011 3:07 pm
by ISAAudrey
