For six years, my summer employment was at an Ohio Camp Fire Girls camp. For three years, I was a counselor and eventually Peter-Principled myself into the Program Director position. Believe me, after eight-weeks each year of tent living, cooking over campfires, and enduring the drama of tweenagers, I was more than ready to return to my civilized world of a real bed, ample clean clothes, and long soaks in a bath tub. This experience cured me of any desire to have a RV and travel around the states; today my idea of camping is staying in the Holiday Inn, instead of the Hyatt. However, in retrospect, I did learn a lot about arts and crafts, starting a fire in the rain, and singing a vast number os camp songs.

In the stifling Phoenix heat today, my memories took me back to camp, where the last week in July was designated Christmas week. Every summer a perfect live pine on the expansive property was designated as THE Tree to be adorned with homemade, nature friendly ornaments. Secret Santas were chosen, and throughout the week each child struggled to create a creative craft gift for their match. Noel songs replaced the usual song fest after each meal, and on Christmas Day, July 25, the cook staff replicated a traditional turkey dinner, completed with assorted homemade pies. Curiously, Christmas week was the most popular enrollment choice.

The temperature of my swimming pool is 95 degrees, the outdoor temperature is 118 degrees. Merry Christmas in July from melting Sue.