In honor of the summer solstice, this week, the Debs are talking about our idea of a perfect day.
But what sort of perfect day? I mean, in some ways, it’s hard to imagine any day being perfect that didn’t involve being at Disney World. A perfect day of writing looks a lot different than a perfect day of relaxation. A perfect day at the beach is different than a perfect day in the mountains.
So, here are some of the things that might help make a day a little more perfect, whatever the circumstances:
Long hours of daylight
I am a summer person. I loathe the dark and the cold, and as such, my moodiness becomes pretty hard to deal with in the wintertime. But give me an afternoon of sunshine that stretches out into a lingering sunset, then twilight that refuses to yield to full dark, and I’m in paradise.
Wine (or cider)
One of my favorite things to do is visit vineyards and cideries. It helps that they’re almost always in beautiful locations, and there’s just something delightful about swanning in, chatting with the pourers, enjoying a glass on a nice veranda. It’s, like, a thing that grown-ups do, and it always makes me feel a little bit fancy. And after several years of making this a habit, I’ve learned quite a bit about wine!
Words
My own, or someone else’s. Again, this depends on the kind of perfect day I want to have — a day where I knock out 3000 words is an awesome writing day, a day I can feel really good about. A day where I lie on the beach and read an entire novel cover-to-cover is also an awesome day. But any perfect day would need to have that component of a story somewhere in it.
Some kind of adventure
Something odd or unexpected — like the time I was wandering New York and accidentally found myself on the block where a fleet of West Highland White terriers were lining up to take part in the Scottish Pride Parade. Or the time I accidentally got roped into throwing beads from a Mardi Gras float in Orlando. Or when I discovered that there’s a summer-long night market along the banks of the Tiber River. Planned adventures are okay, too — theme parks, Renaissance faires, street festivals, foreign travel, cool museum exhibits, and other special events all fall into this category. (Like the day, pictured at left, my gentleman and I went to a winery-slash-farm where you could feed the animals, and I got bitten by a duck for the second time in my life). But something should happen to make the day at least a little bit memorable and extraordinary.
Good company
I’m an extrovert. I don’t like being alone. It’s okay for a little while, I don’t mind traveling alone, and yes, I need a certain degree of solitude to work, but I can’t consider a day perfect that I spend in only my own company. Whether family, friends, or a lover, I need someone by my side, experiencing the magic along with me.
A good meal
Preferably in a restaurant. I’m not actually someone who’s super-interested in food for its own sake, but I like the experience and the event of a nice meal out. A filet, potatoes, asparagus, and red wine will make me happy almost anywhere, but I also love someplace I can discover new spicy flavors to love.
Good sex
Look, this is important to me, y’all. 😉 If we’re aiming for perfection, this would have to be part of it.
Blessings of the sun be upon you! And may many perfect days shape themselves for you.
From Unseen Fire, written over many good and a few perfect days, is now available in hardcover, ebook, and audio! Nab a copy, then delight Cass by leaving a sparkling review on Amazon, B&N, and/or Goodreads.
