Summertime: Long Days, Bright Vibes & A Sweet Soundtrack

Jun 21

The Solstice has passed, and just like that, the longest day of the year is behind us. But the long, light-filled days of summer still stretch into the evening, and I love it.

When I lived up north in Vermont, the daylight felt nearly endless in June. It always amazed me how long the sun lingered in the sky. Here in Maryland, the days are still generous, though maybe not quite as magical as those far-north evenings. Still, I soak in those extra hours whenever I can. Awwhhh - Summertime!

With the brightness comes the heat, bold and often unrelenting, here in Maryland. Flowers are bursting open in excellent colors, ice cream becomes the treat of choice, and life feels a little looser, a tad more relaxed, and a little slower.

“Summertime” always brings to mind beach vacations, but honestly? Give me a windswept beach in fall or winter—quiet, moody, and majestic.

Still, there’s so much I adore about summer:
• Swimming outdoors (poolside or in natural waters)
• Juicy watermelon and lemonade
• Gardening in full bloom
• Outdoor fairs, and dog walks in the parks/woods with my trusted fur-friend
• Those epic summer thunderstorms rolling across the Bay—beautiful and humbling, though less charming in this age of climate extremes

Even if I don’t say yes to everything summer offers, I love the idea of it: the slower rhythm, the abundance of fresh fruit and veggies, and the sheer pleasure of light-filled evenings. Summer lives in my senses and my memories—songs on the radio, the smell of fresh mulch, bare feet, and the joys of a screen porch. 🌞

Out of curiosity, I typed “Summertime” into Apple Music… wow. So many songs! Amazing how music and memories match up! From Ella Fitzgerald’s dreamy take (yes, it’s a Gershwin original) to Sam Cooke’s classic version, to the famous Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime”—the list was as varied as the sprinkles on a summer ice cream cone. My screen displayed a 100-song playlist, totaling 6 hours and 22 minutes.

So—what’s on your summer playlist?

And just because it’s too good not to share, here’s a little of Gershwin’s Summertime—the one that started it all:

Summertime,
And the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high
Your daddy’s rich
And your mamma’s good lookin’
So hush, little baby,
Don’t you cry.

Happy summer, friends. May your days be bright and breezy—and full of your favorite sounds. 🎶🍉🌼