As July 4th Arrives, Summer Slips Through Our Fingers

There are many who consider July 4^th the true start of summer.  Talk to those who rely on visitors to the Jersey Shore and they will likely say that from now until the middle of August is when they most need good weather and tourists to flock to our beaches, boardwalks, and boulevards.  In another example of why I’m a “glass is half empty” guy July 4^th is more like the end of summer.

You might be wondering how I can possibly say that, especially if you haven’t gone on that summer vacation you planned months ago.  Well, here’s why:

On June 20^th sunrise was 5:28 am and sunset was 8:28pm.  Officially we had 15 hours and 27 seconds of daylight...the longest day of the year.  Today sunrise was 5:33 am and sunset will be 8:28pm for a total day length of 14 hours, 54 minutes and 58 seconds.  We have already lost about 5 minutes and it’s all downhill. By the end of this month, we will lose another 38 minutes of daylight and so on and so forth.

What it really comes down to is this.  Since Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer we tend to look ahead and think about all the time we have to do the things we want to.  Enjoy the beach or your backyard pool, boating, fishing, taking day trips to your favorite places, eating ice cream or just sitting on your deck at night with a comforting breeze and your favorite cocktail.  It almost feels like summer is endless.

Well, it isn’t and before you know it kids will be leaving for college, you’ll be shopping for school clothes and supplies, and it will be dark shortly after dinner and football season will be right around the corner.

Enjoy what’s left of summer...it’s almost over. Oh and don’t forget the annual Fireworks extravaganza in Beachwood is tomorrow night, July 5^th.