Here in Mississippi we have two seasons....summer and a short "not summer". Forget those other things called winter, spring and fall...they do not exist except in our minds. The weather in October is just an extension of July's heat. That said, we have our own ways of dealing with such trifling nuisances as the normal heat waves that usually start in mid March and last until late November. We have found that it is best to work in the early morning hours and kick back and relax from, say, 10 am.on until the next morning. There is just no use in inviting a heat stroke to come on! But we do have a few other ways to help beat the heat. The first thing to go is shoes. Shoes are not necessary unless the sign says "No shoes...no service" then a pair of flipflops works. As matter of fact, flipflops are not just for outings to the beach. They are approved footwear for just about any event from formal weddings to family get-togethers. (A family get-together is like a mini family reunion only we don't wait for a year to pass. We have these sometimes once a month, once a week or, hey, anytime someone drops by for a spell.) Most of us just go sans shoes at home which helps tremendously in the effort for keeping cool. Then, there are front porches and back decks. Both seem to serve as our summer living rooms. These are both built with the weather in mind and are strategically placed to catch the optimal breeze. A good breeze wafting across the water has the best cooling effect there is! Add a hammock or some good old porch rockers and life is good. Since there is a threat of becoming dehydrated, we drink a lot of water. Ice cold water from the wells cannot be beat! Of course, sweet tea is required here in the south. No respectful ice box is ever devoid of this staple. Gallon jugs of the stuff are brewed and sweetened just in case "someone stops in". Sometimes a sprig or two of fresh mint is stuck in the brew after it is cooled or sometimes a few fresh-picked blackberries make their way into the jug but never lemon! If someone serves you tea with lemon, they are not originally from the Deep South! They are folks who hail from other parts but who now call this place home. Lemon belongs in lemonade...not tea! Which we also serve and which also has a myriad of fruit added. Blackberries or peaches give our lemonade a distinctively sweeter taste than just adding sugar. If the sweet tea or lemonade does not quench the thirst, a quick trip to the Sno-ball stands will always suffice. For those who have never had a Sno-ball, you are missing out in one of life's great pleasures! A Sno-ball can be fully described as "Heaven in a Dixie Cup!" A massive mound of shaved ice fills the cup and then a sickly sweet fruit flavored syrup is drizzled over it. It is delightful even though (depending on the flavor) your mouth will take on a ghastly color. Think blue lips and teeth from any of the berry flavored concoctions and a bright green smile from lime or mint. Don't even think of the reds and purples!
Once the above items are addressed, one can settle down with ease and enjoy life. The only other requirement to not suffering the ever present oppressive heat is a gentle breeze laden with the sweet aroma of jasmine, gardenias and, of course, magnolias! How much better can it get? The Magnolia Grandiflora or Southern Magnolias are in full bloom right now. Their sweet aroma fills the yard and takes one back to the days of grand garden parties of our great-grandparents. The Bayou is surrounded by Magnolia Trees which actually is the source of the name by which the area goes. "Magnolia Bend" is the part of the Biloxi Back Bay that branches off into the Bayou. At one time the entire area was filled with these marvelous trees. Sometimes reaching a good forty feet in height and at least that in girth, the trees held hundreds and hundreds of the twelve inch blooms. These blooms sent their aroma wafting out on the Bay breezes to be enjoyed by anyone within a few miles. I heard tell that at one point during Pop's early years, folks from miles around came to picnic under the Magnolias. It was quite common for engagements to be made due to the sweet, romantic scents of the blooms. The blooms were also quite desired as decorations for June weddings! (Imagine that!) Pop told tales of being sent to gather dozens upon dozens of the blooms for such occasions. Each bloom had to be picked just at the optimal time so it would open just prior to the wedding ceremony. And...the blooms had to be carefully tended so they would not be damaged. A Magnolia bloom turns brown with the slightest abrasion so each had to be kept from being marred. Those snow white blooms needed to stay snow white and not be tinged with coffee brown.
Now that I have covered all of the requirements for surviving in the Deep South during the summer, I suggest you kick off your shoes, lounge back in the hammock, sip your sweet tea, indulge in the lovely breeze laden heavily with the essence of Magnolias and wait for the end of November! Summers are quite delightful when one knows just how to handle them!
