Random Thoughts about Summer, Seinfeld and Lobster Sweaters

Just add lemonade

Random Thoughts about Summer, Seinfeld and Lobster Sweaters

After growing up in Connecticut, I’ve lived in Southern California, the land of endless sunshine, for 34 years. People always ask me if I miss snow. And I always say, “No, I miss summer.”

In colder climates, summers are hot, humid, buggy, and magical. I miss the magic part.

Summer Music is an essential element to any great summer. Go to the show. Me, a few years ago in Bend, Oregon.

The Memorial Day to Labor Day time frame is exquisite. Like the perfect three-act play: the emotional build of May/June; the fireworks of July; the languor of August and the nostalgic denouement of the first Monday in September. No notes.

Summer without a body of water nearby is criminal.

A hose in the driveway doesn’t count as a body of water. A kiddie pool does.

Put on the suit and jump in a lake. Nobody’s watching.

Thinking of all the parents trying to make summer work with a patchwork of camps, summer school, random playdates and a week at the grandparents.

When my son Colin was 15, he dedicated an entire summer to watching all nine seasons of Seinfeld because it had recently been released on Netflix. He followed up with extensive reading of all related books and articles on the show. No credit, no internship glory, no resume-building. But time well spent.

Fourth of July is the second-best American holiday. Thanksgiving is the first.

Except if you’re a dog. Or a dog owner. Fourth of July is a nightmare. My condolences.

The Lobster Sweater used to be for the lobster-adjacent only. Your Mainers, your Cape Codders, your Vineyarders. But I saw proof of the democratization of the Lobster Sweater last week in the seasonal section of Target. Even if you’ve never eaten a lobster, you can wear a lobster. That’s America to me.

Sparklers are enough.

2026 is no 1976.

Corn, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Ice cream ~ All perfect foods.

Always stop for kids selling lemonade.

Remember bringing radios and cold Tabs to the beach? That was the height of being alive in 1982.

I hope Summer Blockbuster movies still mean as much to kids as they did to me when I waited in line for hours to see Grease on opening night.

Books are better when read on a front porch.

Nothing beats a summer crush.

Wear sunscreen, check for ticks, let the kids stay up late, capture fireflies. Repeat.

Cheers, Lian

Pasadena, California

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The Sweeney Sisters is a Fourth of July in Connecticut book. Read with Muffins.

It’s that season again— Edna Dolan’s Blueberry Muffin Season. Find the recipe here.

And find The Sweeney Sisters here. A summer read for sure. Connecticut shore, lobsters, sisters and summer crushes.