Some folks love the longer days of summer but I’m not one of those folks. I look so forward to this day, when many folks are celebrating the longest day of the year, I’m celebrating that the days are getting shorter. Even though summer on the calendar is just beginning, I guess the way I look at it is this: Summer has to begin before it can end! When I think of summer, I think of miserable heat, bugs, dust and non-stop watering the garden. Don’t get me wrong . . summer is an integral part of the seasons and I appreciate the benefits . . the garden grows during the summer but by the end of summer, we’re so ready for a respite from the heat, the bugs, the dust and yes . . the vegetables to be put up.
As of today, our sunrise time was 6:31 a.m. and our sunset time is 8:44 p.m. That means I’m outside by about 6:15 a.m. letting chickens out, retrieving SD cards from game cameras, replenishing food and water for critters, turning on sprinklers for watering before it gets too hot. It also means that we’re dragging our tired selves in about 9:00 p.m. after replacing SD cards in game cameras, replenishing food and water for critters, turning off sprinklers that were turned on after the sun began going down . . it’s a cycle that’s repeated every day and while I’m not working outside all day, the outside work consumes most of my energy.
By July 21, our sunrise will be 6:45 a.m. and our sunset will be 8:39 p..m. The later sunrise and earlier sunset come gradually but by November 29, our sunrise will be 7:09 a.m. and sunset will be 5:34 p.m. That’s almost 3 hours earlier in the evening when we’ll be done with the chores outside, have time to sit and read or chat or knit! As you might guess, I also don’t look forward to winter solstice, which will be December 21, because that means the days will begin to get longer and summer will be here again!
The earlier sunset makes it harder or folks who work and then come home and have to take care of cattle, gardens or whatever but the grass isn’t growing, the garden isn’t producing massive amounts, the chickens are in the coops earlier . . life for us is much slower paced and more relaxing during the fall, winter and early spring so you can see why summer isn’t my favorite season.
It has to come . . and I’ll be happy to see it go. In the meantime, I’ll remind myself of the benefits of summer . . if I can think of any! 🙂
Vivian Oaks says
I’ve always enjoyed summer more than the other seasons, but I’m getting to the point where spring and fall are looking more and more enjoyable. I don’t put up produce like I did when the kids were young, but there’s too much heat and humidity, and only minimal air conditioning in our house. I still don’t like winter, ’cause I hate driving on snow and ice, but you’re right. We need all the seasons. Some are just more conducive to our lifestyles than others. I enjoy keeping up with your life, Judy. 😉
Liz says
If you think that’s bad, try the northern latitude we’re at here in North Central Washington state.
Twi: 4:24am
Sunrise: 5:04am
Sunset: 9:02pm
Twi: 9:42pm
Ranch Wife says
LOL. I hear you! The longer daylight hours means more time for others to play, but for us, it means more work hours and although I wouldn’t change a thing about our lives, I sure am tuckered out by the time we come in at night. I was mowing at 5:30 this morning.
Jannette B says
While I don’t particularly care for the extremely hot and humid days of July, I love the warmth, and colour of summer. This past winter was long and cold and tough to deal with – I live with chronic pain, and the winter months are often challenging from a pain perspective – so when the weather warms up, I feel like I’ve been set free for a few months! Yes, the days are a lot longer, and there’s more to do outside, but I cope with it…
Patti says
Don’t wish away the summer! LOL! I live in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. We’re happy with the temps in the 70’s. Have had one day that hit 80 last week. I just put my tomatoes in the ground June 10th. Our kids are in school here until June 25th. We love you, Judy!
Barb says
I agree with you 100%. Summer has NEVER been a favorite of mine, just something you need to get through to get to fall and then my favorite WINTER!
Angie says
I don’t know if you can adapt your lifestyle. I started noticing an appreciable decline in my energy level in my mid 50’s. I’m 70 now. Gradually I changed how I lived by decreasing everything to a livable life style that I could easily manage. It’s something to think about as you get older, and life becomes more of a challenge with too many “things” to do.
Joan says
I love the summer and am a bit sad to see the summer solstice arrive! Today in Alaska we have 22 hours and 3 seconds of daylight; tomorrow will be 10 seconds shorter, eventually winding down to around 6 hours of daylight on December 21st. I was planting beets at midnight last night, and the dog was up and ready for breakfast at 4:00 a.m. So much to do outside, but so many hours in which to do it. Oh well, winter is for indoor activities – knitting, quilting…and sleeping!
kaholly says
Summer on the east coast isn’t so bad. Then again, I don’t live on a farm!
sharon says
I like summer. The temps finally are fairly consistently in the 70s with occasional 80s However when it gets to the 80s people around here really complain and many spend a lot of time shopping because the stores have air conditioners. We don’t have air conditioners and if I remember right, we had one week of using fans last summer. (NW WA state) I’m looking at 9.08 for sundown tonight.
Cookie E. says
We live in a small historic town and tourist season is in full swing now that it’s summer. So our little town swells from about 8,000 residents to 15,000 or more on any given day. The sky breaks here around 5:45 am. Our home is situated such that if I look out the kitchen window I can watch the sunrise and if I turn around and look out another window the sky is still pitch dark
Some days its so incredibly hot and humid that if the dog is to be walked we’re out the door by 6:30 a.m. or before. However, after all the snow, sleet and ice of last winter I promised myself I wouldn’t complain about the onslaught of heat and humidity. (grins).
The only thing we can be sure about with the weather is that it will change.
.
Joyce says
I’m the opposite of you. I think I need to live further south, because I’m not a fan of winter. I also dislike the short days of winter. I celebrate when the days start getting longer, and I’m sad when they start getting shorter! I don’t garden nearly as much as you do, but I do agree I’m much busier in the summer. It’s good that we’re not all the same! 🙂
Amy (Waunaknit) says
I agree with you on the bugs and heat. I am not ready for the shorter days though, because I’m not looking forward to driving to/from work in the dark. Plus it means that we’re that much closer to the work move date and there is so much stuff that has to be cleaned out before then.
Adrienne says
Interesting… here in southern British Columbia sunrise today was at 5:07 am and sunset will be at 9:22. Current temperature is 26C or 80F, plenty warm enough for me but just the first day of summer.
Adrienne
Bon says
Today our sunrise was 6:04AM and sunset was 9:25PM. It doesn’t actually get dark until after 10PM. I love the longer daylight but if I was in your shoes I’d probably be feeling like you do.
Jan says
Though our summers in Northern California are lovely, I’m with you 100% Judy. We grow a garden and wine grapes, and from early spring until late October we are in the yard every afternoon and evening. The winemaking process goes on all year, but in the summer we are tired. The good thing about summer? Fresh tomatoes and green beans! We love winter!
Inka from Germany says
Today sunrise was 5:06 and sunset 9:42. On December 21 sunrise will be 8:24 and sunset will be 4:16. Thar means the kids go to school in the dark and by the time tey are home its almost dark again. I like summer better for the light but here in nerthern Germany it will normally not get really hot. Normally in the 70s and 80s only a few days above 90 and almost never above 100.
Carolyn says
LOL My DH is the same way, although I haven’t talked him in to chickens yet…. He starts talking about how the days are going to get shorter!
Susan T says
I look forward to the summer solstice, as it is my eldest son’s birthday! When we lived in Moosonee, on James Bay, we had 20 hours of sunlight. That made up for the winter months, when DH headed to work in the dark and returned home in the dark, after working in a building with no windows all day!
I look forward to summer, but the heat and humidity become harder to bear as the years go along. Now my favourite time is spring and fall!