The summer song is one of music’s biggest joys.  A summer hit dominates parties, barbecues, pools, discos, raves, and car radios.  The memories of the best songs from the 1960’s to today stay implanted in our brains and become ear worms that are hard to shake.  

Summertime cries out for a good book – well, add a beach and a glass of wine, but still with a good book.  

Everyone seems to have their summer “Happy Place.” For several of my friends it’s on their boats, out in the beautiful waters of Long Island, and feeling the breeze in their hair. For others, it’s on the beach, at a cabana, enjoying the smell of the sea air and feeling the sand between their toes.   For me, my summer “Happy Place,” is in my backyard, sitting on my lounge chair by my pool, enjoying a trashy novel. And what makes it even better is a view of my husband at the bar-b-que cooking dinner.

About a week after Father’s Day, tree dropping that require frequent if not daily sweeping, virtually stops; it “allows” me to drop a fresh layer of red mulch in our yard. It gives a nice look to the yard.

Here's a did you know... July 1st is International Joke Day.    It was started in 1994 by Wayne Reinagel, an author and graphic artist who wanted to bring some levity to the halfway point of the year. He was known mostly for pulp fiction, but did publish some books of jokes. He wanted people around the world to share their favorite jokes and celebrate with laughter.   So here's a couple to start us off:   A horse walks into a bar and the bartender says "Why the long face?"  

I admit it, I’m so tired of wearing a mask!Forget about forgetting to carry one.

Summer dining. Eating outdoors. A phenomenon born of the pandemic that seems to have caught on.On streets and in parking lots. The views vary. The background noise drowns out the dinner conversation.Eating outdoors. The reasons vary. Safety. Romantic.

School’s out and the studios start rolling out the movies that they hope will grab our attention. But, with streaming so available, will people still head out to the theaters?  “Top Gun Maverick”, “Jurassic World Dominion”, “Lightyear”, and “Elvis” are battling for our attention and dollars.  So far, Tom Cruise has delivered big numbers and lots of attention. “Jurassic” and “Lightyear” have been disappointments. And, “Elvis” has just opened this past weekend.