Five Things I Forgot About Midwest Summers

Coming Home to Ohio Has Been Good for My Soul

There’s something funny about moving away.

You spend so much time noticing everything that’s different in your new home that you slowly forget what once felt ordinary. Then one day you come back, and all of those little things hit you at once.

After spending time in Arizona, returning to Ohio this summer has reminded me of so many simple joys that I didn’t even realize I’d been missing.

Here are five things I forgot about Midwest summers.

1. The Grass Is Like Nature’s Carpet

One of the first things we did after we arrived was kick off our shoes and walk in the green grass.

I had forgotten how incredibly soft the grass feels beneath bare feet.

Instead of watching every single step, wondering if there might be a cactus spine, thorn, or scorching-hot rock waiting for me, I could simply walk across the lawn without a second thought.

There’s something wonderfully childlike about that freedom.

The grass is cool, lush, and inviting. It makes you want to stretch out on a blanket—or skip the blanket altogether—and simply lie in the yard watching the clouds drift overhead.

Sometimes we forget how healing the simplest moments can be.

2. Wildlife Is Everywhere You Look

I knew Ohio had wildlife.

I just forgot how much.

Nearly every drive seems to include a surprise.

A mama deer quietly leading her tiny spotted fawn across a field.

Ducks paddling across neighborhood ponds.

Turtles sunning themselves on logs.

Songbirds filling the morning air with music.

Butterflies dancing through gardens.

Nature feels wonderfully alive here.

It reminds me to slow down and pay attention because there’s beauty hiding around nearly every corner.

3. The Breeze Actually Feels Refreshing

One thing that surprised me almost immediately was the air.

In Arizona, stepping outside during the middle of summer often felt like opening an oven door.

Here in Ohio, even on warm afternoons, there’s often a gentle breeze.

Instead of pushing you back inside, it invites you to stay a little longer.

Sit on the porch.

Take an evening walk.

Pull a few weeds from the garden.

Watch the sunset.

The air feels like it’s working with you instead of against you.

4. I Forgot Just How Green Everything Is

Everywhere I look…

Green.

Towering trees.

Rolling fields.

Lawns.

Wildflowers.

Vines climbing fences.

The landscape feels full of life.

It’s amazing how quickly your eyes adjust to a different environment. After living in the desert, I had almost forgotten what it feels like to be completely surrounded by shades of green.

It’s comforting.

Peaceful.

Almost like nature is wrapping you in a soft blanket.

5. Summer Rain Feels Like a Gift

We’ve already had a couple of summer rain showers since we’ve been back.

Instead of being an inconvenience, they’ve felt refreshing.

The smell of rain drifting through open windows.

The sound of water tapping against the leaves.

Everything looks brighter afterward.

The flowers stand a little taller.

The grass seems even greener.

The air feels freshly washed.

It reminds me why so many gardeners secretly smile when the forecast calls for rain.

Home Looks Different When You Return

Sometimes it takes leaving a place to truly appreciate it.

Ohio isn’t perfect.

No place is.

But coming back has reminded me that beauty often lives in the ordinary things we stop noticing.

Soft grass beneath bare feet.

A cool breeze.

Summer rain.

A family of deer crossing a quiet road.

A turtle sunning itself beside a pond.

These aren’t grand adventures.

They’re quiet reminders that joy doesn’t always announce itself.

Sometimes it’s waiting right outside your back door.

And after being away, my appreciation for these simple things has grown.

What about you?

If you’ve ever moved away from home—or even just returned after a long trip—what’s one simple thing you didn’t realize you missed until you came back? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

🌿 Happy Growing,

Vine & Dandy Living 🌱