"Summer" is not just about over

I wish all you pessimistic parents out there would stop looking at the back-to-school ads in the newspaper and declaring summer is over or almost over. "Summer" ends on the autumnal equinox around September 20 every year. It gives us another month. Another month of temperatures in the 70s and 80s, plenty warm to keep on grilling on your deck and wearing shorts. Even into October will see some nice days and comfortable temperatures. I, for one valid to enjoy every drop of sunlight and warmth from summer to the fullest extent. In the Hudson Valley in New York State, once the leaves drop off the trees in October it's pretty much six months later when we start seeing foliage reappear. So keep the negativity to yourself. Labor Day in September can often be a hot, sweaty, sunburn producing day even though you feel you need to pack away your white trousers that evening. Yes, the kids go back to school, though these days many kids spend much of the summer in summer camps and similar day care programs. So sit outside if you can, read a newspaper, sip something cold before the return of mom and dad's full-fledged shuttle service to sporting events, scouting meetings, school events, religious education and school activities. Work from home if you can, and enjoy it while you can, because no matter how slow it is in your office in January, you're not going to want to sit on your deck doing office work if there is 4 inches of snow on it. And if you live in Southern California or Florida, just be quiet.