Back in Philly We Be Out in the Park

Remember that old Will Smith joint "Summertime" where he talks about girls playing double-dutch, cruising with your Alpine blasting, and guys going to the b-ball court with a fresh pair of kicks? That has been our summer. Except the girl next door is smoking doobies, the only cruising we've done is with our windows rolled up and doors locked through another crumbling neighborhood looking for an affordable house, and I only played b-ball once (with old kicks,) where I dislocated my arm and crumpled into a pathetic pile on the carpeted church gym floor.

So maybe our summer hasn't lived up to the Fresh Prince's standards, but we've had a few good times these past couple of weeks. On the 4th of July we went on a nature hike up Waterton Canyon. Isabel apparently was concerned for her safety.
There was a fireworks show "espectacular" on Hoyt Street, reminiscent of my youth, only without a full string of black cats blowing up in my hand or my jerk friends throwing snap-pops at my neck.
Teri took Isabel to the zoo with Grammy Grange, Aunt Anne and Cousin Beckett. Isabel felt sad when she saw that the gorilla lives in the same place that he poos, and that he's rolling in it.
Finally, I threw Isabel high into the air to her delight.
On second thought, Will Smith can take his Hoes and Hoops summer.