the best nap of my life

I was going to sleep while thinking of sandy beaches where you can watch the sun set and the moon rise while the sweet water pushes in and out with the tide. Sleeping by the fire, black and milds, playing golf. Being young together and holding our own and getting high. Pine trees and backyard fires and beat up highways that go everywhere. The smell of summer, the smell of dirt and grime and oil and a greasy burrito in the middle of the night. Driving by the bakery at 3 in the morning just for the smell of it. Summertime girls and a swimming pool while songs played and we grinned and drank wine high into the summer night. And not having to be anywhere but knowing breakfast will be cooking. Comfort in not having to be anywhere but where you are. Lickity-split for twilight chocolate malts on the banks of the old Grand River. Parties where no one cares who you are, how much money you have, or what kind of car you drive, as long as you're willing to get down. Getting dirty and fireflies, falling asleep beneath the buzzing of the midwest summer night. And then I dreamt of every friend I've ever had, every girl I've ever loved, and every memory summer in Michigan has handed me. Sometimes you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

warm thoughts for winter

Sunglasses on, freshly inhaled smoke in the lungs, and it's got to be about 90 degrees. I like driving down the two lane highway, past those new developments, away from the overbearing mini-mall shopping center and off to the Italian restaurant, where the other guys were already waiting. My car loves this weather as much as I do and together we run happily down the road. The car window's been open since May, and I've got that left arm tan.
"We'll sit outside," Dave decides as we get out of the car. My sandal had a little rock in it so I flung it off my foot across the parking lot. We're high in the afternoon sun.
We were the only ones sitting outside, and the waiter brought us some waters while we laughed and made plans for the rest of our evening. He looks like the bad guy from a James Bond movie, and he's quite possibly the finest waiter I've ever encountered. It's just too bad I don't give a shit about the specials.
We ordered and lit cigarettes. Some people can't stand the smell of cigarettes. Luckily for them, they also don't like sitting in beautiful weather. How can people complain about the weather all winter long, and then when the sun comes out they go hide in their air conditioning?
"Hey you guys want to have a fire at my house later?"
Jordan always has fires at his house, and that's a good thing too. You couldn't really ask for a better place to relax and be a little social during these summer months. A bottle of wine under the July sunset, laughter and song with your best friends. It didn't take long for us to decide. Yes all around, and here comes the food.