SUMMER 2026, CONTINUED: THE LONG COUNTDOWN TO AUTUMN

As we approach the midpoint of summer, it's been nicely cooler and wetter than usual.

I dare say we have the coolest backyard in the history of backyards... especially when it isn't desiccated brown by drought and relentless, pounding summer sunshine.

I've come to expect the worst after the unofficial end of (unofficial) Strawberry Season, i.e., the delightful continuum from the Tuesday after Memorial Day to July third. Indeed, the influx of orange, eye-stinging smoky air from Canadian wildfires in mid-July seemingly confirmed my worst fears, presaging a hellish two months before we finally feel the first minty breezes of autumn--

An unaltered photo looking north toward Canada

However, we've had enough rain to quickly make our skies blue again and also keep our backyard nice and lush, and thus our resident deer herd well-fed. Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup mercifully kept our minds off American football for at least a few weeks, and the WNBA's Caitlin & Sophie Show will likewise forestall Pigskin's monopoly on the sporting news cycle until football season proper.

But September is inexorably on its way, and joining the back-to-school rush and the eventual sweater weather will be the ever-earlier ad pushes for Halloween and Christmas stuff... and, since this an even-numbered year, nonstop political ads pushing candidates for the 435 House seats, a third of the Senate, numerous Governorships, and all manner of local candidates. So enjoy the rest of the summer of 2026 while we have it... for even if we find ourselves smothered by a giant, steamy heat dome for much of August, I guarantee that you'll be missing it by Columbus Day.