Hello, summer! Get ready for refreshing pool parties, much-needed trips to West Marin and its beaches to escape the heat, backyard barbecues, the ever-exciting Marin County Fair and oh-so-much more. What does summer mean to you? What’s your favorite summer memory? What’s your perfect summer day? What are you doing this summer? Whatever comes to mind, I’d love to know.

Please make it a six-word story, a personal short story, with a beginning, middle and end — not six adjectives, not a cliche and not advice. Make us laugh or cry or at the least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story! Need more examples? “It can’t be. I’m a virgin,” writes Kate Atkinson. “Set sail, great storm, all lost,” says John Banville.

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one six-word story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email, no attachments

• Write your short story in the body of the email, no attachments

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

• It should not rhyme

• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story

Please send to lifestyles@marinij.com by July 19 and look for it in the July 30 lifestyles section and online.

Recently, we asked IJ readers what they’re most proud of. Here’s what they had to say.

Orange steel bridge, built it myself. — Mark Krajan, San Anselmo

Raised loving son through tough times. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael

Black shirt: Dipsea Race, No. 34. — Kim Reynolds, Mill Valley

No Nukes activist, with some effect. — Lois Wise, Novato

Formosa mountain dog thrived in Marin! — Lisa Scandurra, Novato

Proud of my kids and grandkids. — Chuck McDevitt, Corte Madera

Proud to be American? Yes, finally! — Dr. Hank Simmonds, Kentfield

Two perfect grandsons. Well, almost perfect. — Frank Ridley, San Rafael

Roses blooming beautifully make me proud. — Pam Lunstead, Novato

Encouraging my children to be independent. — Ralph Mason, Larkspur

Overcame commitment phobia; now happily married. — Marcia Naomi Berger, San Rafael

Waiting 36 years for loving husband. — Kathy Slaught, Larkspur

My kids, and the Trump jurors. — Susan Storch, Greenbrae

Getting my college degree at 56. — Beverly Ripps, Mill Valley

Starting tennis club, Tam High School. — Jerry Craner, San Rafael

Helping make Sandra Marker Trail possible. — Sandra Y. Marker, Corte Madera

Helping save open space for all! — Douglas Ferguson, Mill Valley

No question — my three sons! — Kathleen Daly, Corte Madera

So satisfying, to write and draw. — Brigid Richards, San Rafael

Twelve years volunteering inside San Quentin. — Linda Varonin, Corte Madera

Striving to do the right thing. — John Johnson, Corte Madera

Teaching, reading, each strategic step applauded. — Shirlee Newman, Black Point, Novato

Without a doubt, our son, Sid. — David Leipsic, San Rafael

Dreamt astrophysicist, delighted in being mom. — Janet Duncan, San Anselmo

Our justice system: Judge Juan Merchan. — Barbara Rowe, Mill Valley

Two kids. No debt. Both PhDs. — Carol Zimmerman, Mill Valley

A physician, a librarian, a policeman. — RG Langenhan, San Rafael

I’ve spent my life helping people. — Dr. Stephen Schneider, San Rafael

Serving Novato community through my church. — Sharon Eide, Novato

Composing 24 stupid-and-yet-somehow-original anti-leaf-blowing folk songs. — Mary Geving, Woodacre

I’m proud of my son’s accomplishments. — Heike Dittrich-Kruljac, Corte Madera

Our bountiful backyard Garden of Eatin’. — Cynthia Sapp, Terra Linda

Playing bridge (online) with Bill Gates. — Ona Rotenberg, Tiburon

Two little boys. All grown up. — Janine Simerly, Mill Valley

My pride: two grown, caring sons. — Beverly Lambert, Mill Valley

Spiritual growth with God, thankfulness forever. — Antoinette DeLucchi, San Rafael

Working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta. — Margit Pettipas, Novato

Vietnam veteran saved Loren Schaller’s life. — Kermit R. Kubitz, Larkspur

Spending time with my accomplished grandchildren. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael

Two beautiful human beings, my boys. — Tom Eller, Woodacre

Beauty queen, all natural, aging well. — Miki Chavez, San Rafael

Lifetime dream — wood-canvas canoe built. — Lynn Harrison, San Rafael

Co-founded Marin Women’s Hall of Fame. — Anne Sisler Latta, San Rafael

Coaching for the Novato Girls Softball. — Victoria Worch, Novato

My gams. They’ve taken me everywhere. — Selena Anne/Andy Plumb, Greenbrae

Making 1,000 sleeping bags for homeless. — Duffy Hurwin, Tiburon

The work I do at WildCare. — Terry Bremer, Lucas Valley

First published six words Independent Journal. — Robert Bruce McKnight, San Rafael

Published autobiography nurses sought from me. — Jenny Wood, Mill Valley

Eighty-eight years young, newly published author. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley

Wife and daughter make me proud! — David Reinstein, San Anselmo

My sons amaze this proud mom! — Marilyn Bagshaw, Santa Venetia

Everest base camp, 2008, age 62. — Lee Reynolds, Mill Valley

Peace Corps school teacher in Nigeria. — Joyce Crews, Mill Valley

Lectoring before 30,000 at L.A. Congress. — Celeste A. Lindemann, Sleepy Hollow

Loving mother, wife and caring citizen. — Margarida da Silva, Novato

In memory: my heart, my mom. — Marcy Guiragossian, San Rafael

All the love my family shares. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City

I listened to my inner voice! — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur

Less prideful, more grateful: family accomplishments. — David Curtis, Novato

Military service: 24 years, four wars. — Retired Master Chief Petty Officer James Koger, San Rafael

Seeing our grandchildren grow and flourish. — Carlos Porrata, Inverness

My children’s successes surpassed my own. — Dave Powell, Novato

My four grandsons in UC universities. — Pam Berkon, Novato

Awakening, forgiving and moving toward joy. — Nancy Masterson, Larkspur Landing

Christian upbringing: Oh, what a legacy! — Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda

Blended family truly loves one another. — Kathleen Pearson, Belvedere

Our sons are good, decent men. — Janice Burke, Novato

No. 1 in Vietnam draft lottery. — Jeff Lieppman, San Rafael

Our daughter became underwater world champion. — Jon Fisher, Tiburon

Students with conscience protesting for us. — Dart Cherk, Mill Valley

The seemingly ordinary: marriage; children; home. — Amelia Gant Aitken, San Rafael

Three-time Dipsea Race finisher, 1990s. — Rip Anzalone, Novato

Good son, best daughter-in-law, job done. — Lori Atone, Corte Madera

Proud of our police and firemen. — Cece Jonsen, Novato

Designed, built, launched satellites; successful operations. — Sherry Green, Novato

Newly minted American citizen. Extremely proud. — Susan Savage, Novato

Breast cancer, mastectomy, chemo, radiation. Here! — Sharin Mendelson, Larkspur

Living the talk that I walk. — JD Moore, San Rafael

My running a mile in 4:22.9. — Connaitre Chateaubriant, Mill Valley

Audience seems delighted whenever I sing. — Janet Lee Benjamin, Tiburon

My incredible life, with no regrets. — Joan Watson, Mill Valley

Staying sane in an insane world. — Bill Strawbridge, Mill Valley

Two healthy kids: We’re proud, grateful. — Billie Forer, San Rafael

1962, drove alone, Texas to Berkeley. — Ann Woodward, Greenbrae

Growing old — not for sissies. Rebel! — Bonnie Smith, San Anselmo

Jettisoned the ex and married Gail. — Kenn Kovitz, Novato

Daddy’s finest hours, mentoring at 103. — Priscilla Troy, Woodacre

Being misunderstood; prevailing above all odds. — Daniel Maloney, San Anselmo

Alone. Table for two. They’re gone. — Debra Armstrong, Novato

Graduated college, first in the family. — Joseph Cillo, Greenbrae

My three children, my four grandchildren. — Lucy MacSwain, San Rafael

Stop, thief: my butter! Not yours. — Christopher Rauen, Novato

I am proud of my wife. — Bill Kruljac, Corte Madera

I seldom leave the seat up. — Dennis Brouillet, Novato

My children, mastering “Adulting 101” well. — Karen Zizzo Kempf, Novato

Daily hugs from my 6-foot son. — Stella Hanis, Novato

Married, one precious son, wonderful life. — Woody Dines, Fairfax

Enlightenment intensive; wake up; empathy, compassion. — Ron Skellenger, Woodacre

Extremely proud of my four children. — Marie Lazzari, Novato

College students protesting to end war. — Evelyn Riebe, Mill Valley

Snapping, keeping faith: sun and moon. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael

Our adult children created wonderful grandchildren. — Ed and Marilyn Schulze, Novato