Suddenly, Independence Day weekend is hanging in the doorway – the one left open to let in the warm breeze, the flash of a summer storm and the echoes of a long song being played down the way. Before it’s gone just as quickly as it came, letting the door slam shut behind it, let’s collectively take in a deep breath of salt air and be here with all of it: the heat, the humidity, the bugs, the traffic, the long lines, the howling of children at play and even the Jimmy Buffett guy at the dive bar.

Embracing summer as it is allows us to cherish summer as we want it to be, inviting longer days, gentle tides, fresh…