Is summer really here? I am sitting in my den at 11:30 a.m.wearing a fleece jacket and all the possible light ablaze. Rain is not yet falling again, but skies would urge us to take an umbrella when we venture out. On Sunday morning, for those brave enough to step outside, even full rain gear was not enough keep from getting soaked through to the skin. Did too many of us pray for rain a few weeks ago when all was dry?

Nonetheless life goes on. The Reverend Martin Smith proposed to read our minds during his sermon time at All Saints by-the-Sea last Sunday morning, basing his guesses on what he hears from participants in his many study and reflection groups. Bible study continues on Tuesday mornings on the chapel porch at 9 a.m. All are welcome.

The Southport Memorial Library will host its first author talk on Thursday evening, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. The visiting author is Gerry Hawes a Southport homeowner and author of “Albatross,” his first book of fiction. Gerry’s background is flying commercial planes and wartime planes during the Vietnam War. He writes about what he knows with authority and a realism that with my limited flying time I especially enjoy. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information you can call the library at 633-2741. Doors open at 6 p.m.

If you are reading this column in the “Morning Catch,” the next story and craft time at the Southport Memorial Library will by Wednesday, July 21, beginning at 10 a.m. The annual Book and Bake Sale is back, occurring Thursday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon with special home baked pies, cakes, cookies and other treats, and, of course, many books for sale.

Continuing our island shopping opportunities, the annual Southport Arts & Crafts Show at the Southport Yacht Club, to benefit the SYC Junior Sailing Scholarships, will be held Saturday, Aug. 7 and Sunday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

To feed our tummies and coming before we flip over to August is the Southport United Methodist Church Summer “Lobster Roll-in, Roll-out” on July 28 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Southport United Methodist Church parking lot. You must order ahead of time by calling one of the following UMW members between July 15 and 23: Elaine Goodwin cell # 1-360-301-6715 or Deb Tukey 633-5144. You can pay by cash or check written to SUMW on the day you will pick up your roll, a bag of chips, bottled water, and a piece of homemade cake to go, all for just $20. In place of the usual “Cookies Walk, using the cookie order form available from the Southport Methodist Church porch until July 25, you may specify which type of popular cookies you would like and buy either a $5 bag or a $10 bag.

Another much anticipated annual event reinstated this summer is the Firemen’s Auction scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21 with the Flea Market beginning at 6 a.m., the Yard Sale beginning at 7 a.m., and the live auction beginning at 9 a.m. Donated items may be dropped off at the Southport fire station.

New building continues around Southport. On last Monday morning during my tour around the island, I saw the concrete base had been poured for the Emily and MacKenzie Hurd’s new post and beam barn to be built on the back end of the former Pierce property overlooking Cozy Harbor.

I am told good times were had by all who attended the Lobster Bake sponsored by the Southport Yacht Club but held at Newagen Inn last Sunday evening. Due to the wet conditions the event was moved inside, but a cheerful hubbub greeted us as we can in to claim our supper. Certainly the space was much more adequate than the club house would have been under such conditions.

Now a bit of news for those of you who play video games, especially if you have ever played “Racing Lagoon.” Gregory, who works at the island store, is also working to translate the terms, especially the auto part terms, for the Japanese firm that makes the game. He does not yet know the Japanese language, but he knows auto part terms so well he can make the translation. Next time you are in the store, ask Gregory to tell you more.

Meanwhile we will wait for sun and a little more warmth so that our homes can open to fresh air and we can shed our jackets.