Bug bite count on Friday: 0
Current bug bite count: 7

Well worth it, though, for: iced black coffee, warm chocolate croissant + Food & Wine in the Lower Lawrenceville sunshine; falafel, onion rings, lemon water, chlorine and sunburn at the Oakmont pool; pesto pasta, grilled corn, puppy cuddles and all the kids in the same city (for once) in my parents’ new Squirrel Hill backyard; Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers, rocket pops and Belgian pale ale on an L-ville deck that makes the city feel green and small and large; timid dogs, friendly babies, fire engines, vintage autos, red, white and blue at the Aspinwall parade; strawberry, melon and mint (cold) soup with vinho verde and an old friend at Ibiza with the doors open and the Birmingham Bridge buzzing and sweating.

Summer’s whipped into place, making amends for the weeks, months, years (it feels) of sluggish rains and scarves with boots.

It’s impossible to stay indoors, and hard to imagine it will ever be cool again.