Today is the summer solstice and officially marks the start of summer in Coronado and elsewhere.

The first day of summer has dawned…cloudy. It is what we southern Californians refer to as “June Gloom”. A heavy marine layer – basically a fog bank that develops over the ocean – settles in overnight and lies sleepily between the earth and the sun, blotting out any ray of sunshine.

This time of year, I don’t need to look at the weather report to know that by noon the sun’s strength will burn through the marine layer forcing it back out to sea until sundown.

It is called “June Gloom” because it is a weather pattern that occurs during the month of June. In recent years this phenomena has started to infiltrate the days of May and is called “May Grey”.

With “May Grey” there are fewer days where the sun breaks through. With “June Gloom”, the cloudiness we wake up with tends to give way to the sun at some point during the day.

As I see children young and old filling the streets of Coronado whether walking, cycling, heading for the beach or just enjoying our small community, I am reminded of my own summers back East.

I have fond memories of long fun-filled days shared with family and friends. My mother used to lightly sing the Summertime, Summertime song. I had no idea where it came from, but I loved listening to its upbeat tune.

If my uncle were around, he would protest, “No, no, that’s too quick, summertime is about living easy.”

And he would start singing “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess. Although I preferred my mother’s catchy tune, I loved listening to my uncle sing. He would close his eyes and sway just a bit as he sang us his tune of summertime.

Whichever rhythm describes your summer, I hope you have a sun-filled, safe and happy one!