July is when summer finally shows up in the PNW: corn, tomatoes, peaches, plums, mayo opinions, garden chaos, ice cream trucks, and plenty of napkins.

Red was the flavor of the best lollipop, the better popsicle, the candy you picked first if someone handed you a mixed bag. Red tasted like summer before summer had officially clocked in. Or “clocked it,” as the kids might say. I am hip. Period.