The sweltering weather the past two weeks will make anyone have a quick stride in their step to get back into air conditioning or may even question themselves twice before going outside at all.

While many of us are already talking about hopeful snowfalls in the winter or just plain cooler weather soon, summer flowers seem to gobble up the heat while constantly putting on a show.

Robert Taylor plants zinnias every year in his flower  bed in front of his home on Erwin Street. It’s the easiest flower you can grow, he says.  “Just sprinkle the seeds in the ground and leave them alone.”  He never waters them all through the summer.

Now that’s what I’m talking about. Leave them alone, no matter how hot or cold the weather is, they will perform till the very end of the season.

Taylor lets the zinnias mature to a dried up stage, he fills containers with the seeds then places them in a dark place until next spring.

After he works up the soil, he sprinkles the saved seeds and voila, the magic happens all over again.

Taylor’s wife Jeannie says those flowers are all about Robert. She enjoys watching her neighbor’s daughter come to their home and talk to the butterflies that flutter to one flower then the next.

Small strips of flowers stand tall on the side of the driveway near their side door. This gives a colorful array of freshness to all as they are going or coming.

Stay hydrated as much as you can and enjoy the summer safely.