| Although human courtship is a year-round | | | | off just yet. Many fine art museums feature |
| enterprise, there's still something special | | | | tremendous photography exhibits that appeal |
| about summer. Maybe it's the childhood memory | | | | to a wide audience. You don't have to know |
| of those long days of freedom, or maybe it's | | | | anything about art or art history to be |
| a biological throwback to a time when spring | | | | fascinated by photographs. Check the "Arts & |
| babies had the best chance of survival. But | | | | Entertainment" section of your local |
| whatever it is, the air is warm, the days are | | | | newspaper or visit the websites of your local |
| long, and love is in the air.Summer is a | | | | museums to find out what's currently on |
| wonderful time for romance--whether you're | | | | display.Perhaps the greatest benefit of an |
| embarking on a new journey or breathing some | | | | art exhibit as a date is that it gives you a |
| extra life into a long-term partnership. To | | | | guaranteed topic of conversation. Even if |
| take full advantage of that summertime | | | | you've been in a relationship with someone |
| magic--my apologies to those in the southern | | | | for years and communicating is easy and |
| hemisphere who will have to file these ideas | | | | natural for you, an art exhibit is always |
| away for a few more months--here are five | | | | something new to talk about.And guys, |
| unforgettable dates to experience with | | | | especially if you're with someone new, this |
| someone special.1. Fireworks! Many nations | | | | is a perfect way to share an emotionally |
| and cultures celebrate various holidays with | | | | bonding experience--which we women simply |
| fireworks throughout the summer season. Never | | | | swoon over--without needing to talk about |
| miss a chance to take a date to a fireworks | | | | anything too personally sensitive. It will |
| show. Last year I spent the Fourth of July on | | | | start to build that bridge of emotional trust |
| a lake in a kayak with my own special | | | | in an interesting and emotionally safe |
| someone, watching as the fireworks exploded | | | | environment. Best of all, she'll feel that |
| almost overhead. Talk about unforgettable! I | | | | you're really treating her to something |
| can't even begin to describe the sheer awe of | | | | special, which is a major key to any woman's |
| the experience.2. Picnics. People don't seem | | | | heart.4. Fairs and Festivals. Summertime is |
| to picnic much anymore, but I don't for the | | | | the season for fairs and festivals of all |
| life of me know why that is. Perhaps in our | | | | kinds. Whether you live in the city or out in |
| world of convenience--from fast food to mall | | | | the country, I can almost guarantee you that |
| shopping--picnics just seem like too much | | | | there are art festivals, craft fairs, or |
| work. Or maybe they've simply fallen out of | | | | state fairs within easy reach.These are |
| fashion so they don't often come to mind. But | | | | slightly less "romantic" than either picnics |
| a picnic is much simpler than it may seem, | | | | or art museums, so they can represent a nice |
| and it's a wonderful way to spend an | | | | choice for those early days of courtship when |
| afternoon.Pack a blanket and some simple | | | | you want to do something special without |
| foods, slow down, and spend a summer day back | | | | coming on too strong. They also represent a |
| in a time when we weren't ruled by cell | | | | wonderfully lighthearted change of pace for a |
| phones and time management systems--when | | | | long-term relationship that sees its share of |
| people still took the time to dream. The menu | | | | daily routine. Like art museums, they provide |
| is completely up to you: sandwiches are | | | | plenty of fodder for conversation, and like a |
| always easy, fruit and cheese can add a | | | | good picnic, they'll get you out together |
| romantic touch, antipasto and pasta salads | | | | into that magical summer sunshine.5. Meteor |
| are classic favorites.Remember, a picnic | | | | Showers. Meteor showers make marvelously |
| doesn't have to be fancy to be worthwhile, | | | | romantic excuses for sharing a blanket |
| and a rooftop can be as romantic as a day at | | | | together on a late summer night. Another of |
| the park with the right person. The key is to | | | | my own most memorable evenings was spent in |
| pick somewhere relatively quiet where you can | | | | the middle of a country field, snuggling up |
| really talk with one another, preferably with | | | | to my favorite cowboy in the bed of a pickup |
| an interesting view. But you can always work | | | | truck, watching as one "star" after another |
| with whatever's available. The human heart | | | | streaked across the night sky.Of course, you |
| has a tremendous capacity to see beauty just | | | | don't need a full-blown meteor shower just to |
| about anywhere, if you're willing to look | | | | sit outside together and watch for falling |
| through loving eyes.Just as an example, I | | | | stars. It's a romantic thing to do on any |
| once had a New Year's date for which our | | | | summer night. But there is something |
| plans fell apart completely at the last | | | | downright mystical about watching one |
| minute. Instead of giving up hope for a | | | | "shooting star" after another, especially |
| special evening, I bought fruit, cheese, deli | | | | when you can catch the natural drama of a |
| meats, cookies, and a bottle of champagne | | | | fire trail or two. If you've never seen a |
| from a grocery store and put together an | | | | true meteor shower, it's a phenomenon you |
| impromptu picnic that we ate on a bedspread | | | | really shouldn't miss. What could be better |
| in our hotel room. To this day, it remains | | | | than a night full of wishes to make a dream |
| one of my most cherished New Year's Eve | | | | or two come true!Posted by EM Sky, on |
| celebrations.3. Art Exhibits. Even if you're | | | | business, life, and society for the whole |
| not big on "culture," don't write this one | | | | human being. |