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