In The (Unofficial) Summertime

June 21 marks the first official day of summer. It's really about a month too late.

Memorial Day is the real start of summer.

Think about it -- isn't the saying that you can wear white after Memorial Day (as opposed to after the solstice)? And don't those barbecues come out for the big three day weekend? And don't even get me started on bathing suits.

No, it's summertime all right. And I couldn't be happier.

This is the best season of all. I'm a fan of heat, of staying outside all day, of minimal clothing. It's the time when I can put away all those other CD's and listen to Jimmy Buffett morning, noon and night. Socks stay in the drawer (except during work hours). My boxers? Not unless I'm working or eating out.

Saturdays at the beach, or playing ball with my son. Sundays doing exactly the same. Dinners outside. Spur of the moment neighborhood parties on my lawn.

Most importantly, summertime gives the illusion that we really are living right, that we aren't living for our jobs. In the summer we believe we really can smell the flowers, that there is more to life than the daily grind.

I believe it is in the summertime when we are at our best.