How did I miss this

July 15 is National Ice Cream Day

Enjoy Ice Cream it's mandatory

Summer joy is upon us

The shortest night of the year has just ended. The Earth has reached the farthest point of its orbit around the Sun which does not know it is a star.  The northern tilt of the Earth is now at it's maximum. The conquest of light begun at the Winter Solstice is now complete. Enjoy!

A nice chart explaining the sunlight differences around the northern hemisphere At 6:09 p.m. (CDT) today, the sun will shine directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer while the North Pole reaches its maximum tilt towards the sun. For the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the official start of summer and the longest day of the year.

Winter Solstice

The longest night has ended in a glorious sunrise over the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan. The conquest of light over the gathering darkness is complete. The days will grow longer now, building to the crescendo of Summer. The earth has completed another journey around the sun. Life is reborn, we start anew this day, this Winter Solstice.

Summer lease has all to short a date.

“Every man makes his own summer. The season has no character of its own
adventures are what make a summer.”		Robertson Davies

How did this happen. Only a moment ago we were enjoying the Memorial Day parade and feeling excited about the start of Summer. Now the leaves are already beginning their annual colorful dance, youth's are opening schoolbooks and hopefully their minds and footballs spiral across late summer skies. 

It would be very good to remember that adventure is what makes summer and never lose that sense of wonder.

12:16 CDST - Summer

Take out the beach wear, put your feet in the sand, it is officially Summer. There are only two seasons in life really. Summer and not Summer. Enjoy Summer!

Autumnal Equinox 2010

Autumnal Equinox 2010, the demarcations lines are vertical today ,

Daylight Map

Summer Plantings

As the Autumn Equinox approaches once notices a lot of overgrown summer plantings throughout the city. The summer splendors are awaiting the final pruning while the fall plantings stand ready for the fullness of the Moon to herald their arrival.

The endless ebb and flow, of birth, death and birth again. Enjoy the journey around the sun!

Summer's lease hath all to short a date 3

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate;
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date; Bill

September is upon us. The summer wanderings are behind us and we all get back to the business of life. The carefree, devil may care attitude of the August sun is replaced by the gentle harbingers of the the winter chill. All seasons are in the mind, whether you are returning to school, whether summer is your high season or low season, there really are only two seasons, Summer and not Summer

Snow, what snow

As Summer wanes do not count the days, rather make the days count.

Walking along a golden sun drenched beach on the shores of Lake Michigan in the middle of August it is hard to imagine that it snows here and it snows a lot. Enjoy the golden sand and before the first snowflake descends.

Summer in the City at last

Today is May 31, Memorial Day here in the emerald city on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. The coleus, sweet potato vine, daisies and coneflowers have replaced the tulips on Michigan Ave. A butterfly flutters outside, everyone is cruising Lake Shore Drive and The Plaza at the Park Grill has opened. Summer has arrived at last. The shackles of winter are now officially set asunder. Life is magical for the next few months under a warm summer sky. The duties seem a little lighter, the step a little more bouncy and the smile is genuine.

Let's go out and have some fun!

Summer lease has all to short a date 2:

My earliest recollection is that dusk on the first Monday in September ended summer. A rite of passage occurs. I knew there would be no more trips to the beach or the picnics in park. I knew that dreams of summer would be put away until the mythical next year. The lazy carefree days would soon be replaced with homework, study, and research projects. Though we at times wish some things like summer last a little longer, we know that for summer to come again it must first end now. Movement is magical beyond understanding, “keep on moving forward”, the preacher exclaimed and all will come to pass.

Summer:

The rite of passage is upon us. The air is warmer, the grass is greener, the beaches are sandier, the lake is bluer, the nights are starrier and lemonade tastes better. First light is at 5:00am. Start early, stay late, its Summer!

“Summer’s lease has all too short a date” Shakespeare:

Marking of seasons occurs the first Monday every September. Officially the day is called Labor Day, however unofficially it is a rite of passage. There are really only two seasons in life, summer and not summer. The seasonality of your restaurant influences whether the day brings joy or trepidation. If summer is your high season you mourn its passing, tallying whether the debts and credits are sufficient, if summer is your low season you are happy that you have survived to battle another day. Summer is really a state of mind, a playful sun filled day of sand and surf. Everyday cares are washed away in the ebb and flow of the warm tides. The labors of the kitchen and the fruit of the vine taste much better under a starry summer night. Dreams flower ever brighter, hopes soar ever higher.

Alas, ‘Summer’s lease has all to short a date”!