Most of us associate summer with a faraway, tropical destination, of which my favorite is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but it is really impossible for me to make it down there now. So what can I do?

Summer is the perfect time to tackle unfinished projects or turn into reality ideas that have been taking up some space in your mind.

Five Things You Can Do this Summer:

1- Write for Xomba. You will get a chance to make some money while given a chance to express your thoughts, and read hundreds of quality articles written by fellow Xomba writers.

2- Finish your backyard project. Surprise a loved one, make it look pretty,just like the TV people do!

3- Take a day trip around your city or town armed with that digital camera that has not seen much use lately. Photograph overlooked buildings, those that you never knew where there before, wild flowers, or wild people. Then make a fun photo book titled "The Unseen Side of Anytown, USA," write an article about your experience, or sell your photographs online!

4- Visit a friend who you have not seen in a while.

5- Keep a log of your summer days, it will be fun to look at later in life or start a blog and share with the world how your summer days are spent or how your summer project quickly turns into an all time reality!

I do realize, that the above may not be appealing to everyone. If none of the above ideas seemed particularly interesting to you, plan B may be just what you need: sit under a tree, enjoy the cool breezes, and just hung out by the pool.

Share your summer with those that are important to you, and you will quickly realize that it is not about what you do, but who you are with. Great company is not something you can buy.