Elephant Ears are Summer

Hot sunny days walking along the riverwalk are some of the best days of Summer. I get to breathe in clarity and breathe out uncertainty. Summer is family reunions, barbecues, weddings, and graduations. It is the season my brown skin becomes more richly dressed in brown even when I use my sunscreen. It is the voices of friends conversing “I can’t wait to see you.” “Let’s go to the pool.” “How bout Playa del Carmen instead of Cancun?” “I think I’ll just sit on the porch and apricate all morning.” Summer is the best time to grill, find the freshest fruit, and eat multiple servings of ice cream all day long. I can sip lemonade and read a book or simply do nothing. When I think of summer, I think of quality time sitting around eating and laughing with family and friends. The emphasis is on the eating my dear friend, ‘wink’.

If I could devour a mouthful of Summer it would taste like Elephant Ears, and I don’t mean the ones attached to the methodical, family-oriented creatures. Mix up some flour, baking powder, butter, and milk. Fry the flat, round dough and sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over. We all know that fried foods are the tastiest. This is what dreams are made of my friend. Pick any carnival, circus, or amusement park across the United States and you can find the delectable delights that smell like childhood and tastes like freedom.

1. The dips, curves, grooves and craters nearly hypnotize me. The fresh, hot sweet dough, and slightly sticky topping, calls for me year after year. It is one of my oldest and dearest friends.

My husband and I sometimes frequent our local traveling carnivals. Sometimes we make a day of it and other times I just go with one thing on my mind. I walk up to the concession stand to place my order. Before I can make two steps to leave, I give in to my friend.

With the first bite into the sweet dough, I feel a brisk breeze. I close my eyes and I return to my adolescence. It’s always waiting for me to visit and I cherish every time I get to hangout in its presence. I am telling jokes with my friends as we stand in the line for the Ferris wheel. It is how I calm myself because heights make me nervous.

Another bite and I'm blushing, my crush just won a teddy unicorn for me at the balloon and dart game. He almost hit the attendant with one of the darts but somehow, he is the victor. Aww, he’s my stuffed animal hero. We walk to the edge of the grounds and the rays shine overhead, warmly embracing us. We become lost in each other's eyes, melting into the sunset. Another glimpse of the past that leaves a grin.

Elephant ears are gleeful. “Chewing never felt so loving and effortless then when I chew into you.” I lock eyes with one of the “ear’s” nooks and we submit to the kinship that we should immediately become one. This favored yet simple treat whispers the season to me.

I take another bite and a group of us are in bumper cars. We scream into the open sky as we crash over and over into each other, “Watch out!” “Stop” “Why would you do that” “Lighten up” “I’m dizzy but I love it.” I can almost feel the whiplash. I will never understand why hitting each other on purpose with such force is so fun.

With the final chews, I breathe into my present, realizing time travelling is possible. Loving where I came from and equally relishing in where I am. I hold on tight to my husband's hand as the neon lights glare. I challenge him to a basketball game and then to a skee-ball match. He wins, then I, and then him again. The Elephant Ears brought us together, delivering summer right into our hands.