Sweet Summertime

According to the calendar, summer in the northern hemisphere begins this year on June 21st, which is the summer solstice. 

But in real life, summer has already begun for most people.  So, what is summer?

Well, for me summer means hot weather.  Summer in Texas begins in May when temperatures consistently hit the 90s.  Summers in Texas can be insufferable during July and August when it's not unusual to hit 100 degrees for days on end, with the night-time temperatures only falling into the 80s.  When we lived in Texas, we survived by going to the swimming pool or escaping indoors to one of the many (air conditioned) bounce house locations in our area. 

July and August in Texas are basically dead periods as far as gardening is concerned.  It's rather like an inverted winter.  Instead of frost, the blazing temperatures and lack of rain means gardens dry up and turn brown.

I much prefer summer in northern climates like Wisconsin and Poland.  Summer highs in Poland rarely exceed 90 degrees and the nights can even be chilly.  Because summer is relatively short at northern latitudes, people feel compelled to make the most of it.  I've heard and read that in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Finland, practically the entire nation takes a month off at the height of their summer.  Government offices are virtually shut down and very little gets done at most businesses.  Considering how long and dark their winters are, I can't blame them.

Here in Poland, popular summer activities are about the same as in other places.  We grill or roast sausages on sticks over a fire.  Kids swim in ponds or lakes.  People take vacations in the mountains or at the seaside.  People tend their vegetable and flower gardens and cut the grass.

When I was kid going to school, the start of summer vacation was indescribably wonderful.  All of the free time laid out before me was like the luxury of a king.  Polish schoolchildren finish their school at the end of June - and they can hardly wait!

A lot of music has been inspired by the summer season.  My two favorites, which I think just plain sound like summer are: 1) The 'summer' section of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, with the lazy summer-like calm interrupted by an orchestral thunder shower.  2) Summertime written by George Gershwin with lyrics by DuBose Heyward.  I especially like the music-only versions performed by Sidney Bechet on clarinet.

June, from the

Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

June
by Randall Peaslee

There on my left the moon hangs white as wax.
On my right, the western horizon glows.
Some late birds twitter unseen in their roosts.
Incessant crickets pulse and pulse and pulse.
Overhead the stars slowly salt the night
As on we're hurled through frigid space.  Yet still
I stand in this orchard of swelling fruit.
A brief half-night and then the cocks will crow.
Now's the soft unfolding of the season.
The air is cool.  As it is in summer's
Beginning, so shall it be at the end.