This weekend I started hanging out in the backyard in the evenings, drinking soda, listening to music, shooting the shit with Cynthia and Fran, and being bit through my clothes by the giant, evil New Jersey mosquitos.

What's your favourite way to spend a summer night?

-- Kymm (hedgehog@hedgehog.net), June 11, 2000

Answers

Lay back and look at the stars.

-- Dave Van (davevan01@hotmail.com), June 12, 2000.

Sit out on the back porch and talk with a friend until we can see the sun begin to rise.

Of course, that's only when I'm single.

-- Jackie (jackie@jackie.nu), June 12, 2000.

Skinny dip in the pool, build a fire, sit beside it with a frozen margarita and relax, relax, relax!

-- Nance (nance@geeksandgargoyles.com), June 12, 2000.

Correction: There is no such thing as "skinny" dipping when you have a big fat ass, so we're going with "naked" dipping. *grin*

-- Nance (nance@geeksandgargoyles.com), June 12, 2000.

Camping in the middle of nowhere, next to a lake. Got a fire to roast marshmallows, but sitting back enough to see the vast expanse of stars overhead, bright away from the city lights. Ahhhhhh.

-- Saundra (scrnwrtr1@home.com), June 12, 2000.

on a back porch in Pennsylvania, feet up on the rail. Hair pulled up and piled on top of my head, neck sticky from sweat. An icy beer in my hand. Being able to rock back in my chair and try to count the stars. Alone is good. With my sweetheart, nicer.

As long as he opens the beers.

That was last summer, at my mother's. I need to go do that again.

-- Jen (maharishe@yahoo.com), June 12, 2000.

We are (some of us ) on the same wavelength, Nothing like being out in nature near water with clear skies above and a small fire, a cup of Double Bergamot Earl Grey Tea and a warm body beside you.

-- Daniel (truth60@yahoo.com), June 12, 2000.

I guess I'm the dissenting voice in all of this. If you ask me, the best way to spend a summer night is in an air-conditioned room, with a computer and a fast Internet connection.

I've got the computer. The other two parts of that equation elude me, thus far.

Incidentally, this is also the best way to spend a summer day. And the best way to spend a winter night, substituting a good heating system for the air conditioning.

-- Shmuel (shmuel@england.com), June 13, 2000.

Swinging on the porch swing, talking with friends, cooking out...anyone of these are ideal way too me to spend a summer night.

-- Bill W (wessonw@mindspring.com), June 13, 2000.

Swimming is particularly nice on hot summer evenings. [One of the few things about Arizona I'm nostalgic about].

-- Joy (jrothke@earthlink.net), June 13, 2000.

A motorcycle ride, then ice cream, then sex.

In the absence of a boyfriend with a motorcycle--or any boyfriend at all--sitting outside with friends and family, eating, drinking, and talking.

I gotta find another boyfriend with a motorcycle!

-- Catherine (catcoicrit@earthlink.net), June 16, 2000.

Being with my magicman........exploring the stars......seeking new adventures.....melting into the moment........while holding each other

-- Cara See (hinckleygirl218@aol.com), April 11, 2001.

On a hot summer night, I like to sit somplace where there are no streetlights. In the middle of the US, by a clean clear lake. Build a nice fire and watch it die into embers as I watch the stars appear and finally die into the darkness just before dawn. Swimming in the cool water with favorite friends. Listening to the sounds of Crickets, and the Wolves. Most of all breathing the feeling in, and totally enjoying it all. With no care in the world except the moment.

-- Daniel Milner (dropins@home.com), April 11, 2001.

me + my girl + hot tub + strawberry daquiris + hot summer night = heaven

-- Ray Watkins (rayadj67@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.