Summer is officially upon us and the weather – in between violent thunderstorms – is turning warmer. And, with the change in the weather I've been covering a lot more outdoor events.

The other day while heading home from the dog park with Jack, I stepped off a high curb and heard a peculiar noise.

Belly Dance (aka Raks Sharki, Raqs Sharqi, and Raqs Baladi), is a form of dance that many are familiar with. But few understand the effects it has on the human body.

Growing up I was never really big on the outdoors. I enjoyed playing tag like the other kids, I didn’t mind the lightning bugs, but I hated any other kind of creepy crawly thing.

With age and experience attitudes can change and to a large degree I am no longer so frightened by bugs. I try to stay out of their way, if they stay out of mine. I don’t run when bees are around. I don’t randomly kill spiders, unless they get to into my space (I know, you’re thinking, “she should squash those arachnids.” But spiders kill the other nasty bugs in the house, so I let them go if they are small.) I enjoy watching ants at work, provided they are not near my picnic basket.