We rolled into Loyd Park on Friday afternoon, laptops in tow, and wrapped up our workday remotely with the sounds of nature replacing the usual office hum. The Texas summer was in full swing with its high heat and even higher humidity, but the shade of the trees and the promise of a good meal kept our spirits high.

Date Night dinner included a juicy blue-cheese steak, crisp endive salad, and grilled carrots that picked up just the right amount of char from the fire. Afterward, we settled in to watch the newest episode of American Masters featuring the legendary Italian chef Marcella Hazan. Her story was captivating, but the week’s fatigue caught up with us, and we called it a night halfway through.

Saturday brought more heat, but we were determined to make the most of it. We built a campfire in the evening, not knowing that a surprise summer deluge was on in the offing. Just as the flames reached their peak, the skies opened up. The “fire and rain” reminded us of James Taylor’s 1970 hit, with its deep themes of loss and addiction, but it had nothing to do with our soggy yet spirited evening.

Dinner had a tropical twist: huli-huli chicken, creamy macaroni salad, and steamed broccoli. After drying off and warming up, we finished the Hazan documentary, inspired by her fierce dedication to simplicity and flavor. By chance, we happened across a showing of Grease on CMT, so we indulged in the 1978 musical comedy. Then it was off to bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of rain.

Sunday morning greeted us with cooler temperatures, a welcome gift from the rainy weather. We took our time with our regular routines, followed by a lazy nap and a round of cocktails before calling it a weekend. The park was quieter, the air fresher, and the pace slower — everything a Sunday should be.