Technically, the first day of summer is Friday, June 20, and it’s also known as the Summer Solstice.
For some context, the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.
That means we have the most hours of daylight then and possibly the most chances to catch sunburn.
However, judging by the painfully rising temperatures, summer has already been here and we’re looking at things only getting worse going forward.
Don’t forget the way moisture weighs everything down and turns the great outdoors into a sauna – or as I call it, “walking through soup” to get to the car and back.
That, and the sudden appearance of mosquitos is another in
dicator of the worst season we endure on the Gulf Coast.
School is out for most students, unless they have to make up classes or are taking college courses.
But, the rest of us adults rarely get time off during the next few months.
I look forward to each and every holiday that we get to celebrate while trying not to being virtually cooked the minute we step outdoors.
Honestly, I’m only looking forward to those holidays so I can spend the day indoors in the comfort of air conditioning and not having to get up and do much of anything.
Granted, I’d like a destination vacation somewhere cooler and/or drier.
But, I’m terrified of being on a plane, and my little car wouldn’t make it much further than Sugar Land.
My mom always tells me that I wasn’t afraid of being on a plane when I was a baby.
I have to remind her that that time doesn’t count, and if I had to take a trip like that at my age now I’d need a stiff drink or to be knocked out with Benadryl.
Despite that, we’ve discussed a variety of possible long weekend escapes or even just sending the old people off on their own and staying here to do nothing.
Mom isn’t exactly a fan of doing nothing and wants to make plans to sightsee or explore and I’m definitely alright with staying home to tend to the pets at home and nothing else except whatever strikes my fancy.
I mean, I’ll probably do a bit more than that depending on what’s happening locally or how much newspaper work is available – but, I don’t plan on going above and beyond that point.
After all, it’s only fair to schedule some rest and relaxation while mom and Mike are out doing their own thing.
Plus, all the places mom and Mike want to go are not places I’m interested in hanging out at or adventuring through.
Though, I could say the same thing about their daily morning ritual – sharing cups of coffee and conversation on the back patio and watching the sun rise.
I’ve got three reasons not to be a part of that – I’m not a morning person, hate hot coffee and hate how hot and humid it is outside while the sun’s coming up and burning my retinas.
Suffice to say that summer is my least favorite of all seasons and I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures arriving as soon as possible.