95 degrees, huh? What now?

Swimming puppy, coming through (Credit: Kerry Trotter / Metromix)

Um, so, yeah. It's hot.

Like, real hot.

I shouldn't complain, because I would much rather be hot than cold, but my fair irish constitution grapples with these elements. You will never meet a person more enamored of hot weather who is less capable of physically thriving in it than myself. I was built for the rain-whipped fields of the West Coast of Ireland, yet developed the dreamy insouciance of a beachcomber on the West Coast of the U.S. I sweat like a large man, my curly hair doubles in size, I burn in seconds, I swell, I get heat rashes, I'm a walking Thanksgiving dinner to mosquitoes -- yet I want nothing more than to be outside when the mercury rises. Never the twain shall meet. Ah well.

There are some solutions to my corporal / spiritual disconnect, starting with water and ending with frozen drinks. Even though I don't dig on crowds, I might have to frequent a public pool this summer (sheep-dipped in SPF 1,000,000). I cannot wait to see what local growers are bringing to the farmers markets, supplementing my husband and my own (crowded) backyard garden. It's now the perfect time for a big glass of boozy lemonade. OK, maybe two glasses. The summer heat makes me think of grilling, which makes me crave burgers (including the newest place slated to open Downtown, Whisler's) more than ever. We have a new puppy, so trips to shallow rivers to cool her and her older bro off are essential. I'm newly married, so my husband and I also want to hit patios around town for happy hour, and cannot wait to try this place. It's been open for a minute and there's no patio, but we've been pretty busy (see above mention of wedding and new pup) so we haven't had the chance. Oh, and also taking time away from our newlywed dining plans is this. My husband has pledged to hit the "links" and regularly dominate our friend Dirk. Dude, consider yourself warned. Also, July 4 is around the corner, and we've compiled a list of all the fireworks and parades in the Ozarks. There are some really good options so be sure to check it out.

So as I sit in an air-conditioned office penning my plans, a sweaty, frizzy, swollen day perched on a river bank with a boozy lemonade in my hands sounds pretty much like heaven in the Ozarks. Bring it. -- Kerry Trotter, Metromix