Mother Nature Flips the Switch to Summer

And just like that, it was Summer.

Like someone had hit a switch and turned Spring into Summer. And man was it ever hot on those first few days. Oh my God. I mean come on. Are you kidding me? I don't know about you guys but I was prepping a couple of days in advance. No way I was getting caught in a heat wave.

I've been around the block a few times. I knew what I had to do.

And that was to get the AC primed and ready to kick in. And that's what I did before she hit on Wednesday. I checked all the vents, filters, and removed the cover from the condenser. Thanks to Tom Miller's handy work a couple of years ago, my central air system was just a matter of me plugging her in, and hitting the switch. If Mother Nature was going to bring on Summer like she did, Lil Ralphie was gonna be prepared. And we were.

After surfing for 3 hours on the first day of Summer in record breaking heat and humidity, I came home to a cool home. I have to chuckle at all my friends who said I was crazy for getting central air back when we first bought our home some 21 years ago. "You don't need AC, we're close enough to the ocean where we get a sea breeze. Besides we only have one or two days a summer when we really need AC."

I would look at them without blinking an eye and say "Bullshit!"

First of all, I've stood on the sand at the beach on some summer days and wished I had my own AC unit. And if we only get a couple of days a summer where we really need AC, well that's when I want it. I don't buy into the ocean theory of nature providing us with AC. Man provides us with AC. Or God does.
God created man, and man created AC. Thank you God.

(Second photo) My young year and half old Shorthair PATCH is not smart enough to understand AC and how wonderful it is. But he's smart enough to know that being inside on a 100 degree day is much better than being outside. Here he is on Wednesday checking out the Heat Wave from the comfort of his Central AC home.

Now I know what they mean by "It's a Dog's Life."

Turns out the first day of summer was also "International Surf Day." Now I guess I must of missed that one. Though it seems they have a day for everything and everyone. You know like 'bring your kid to work day,' or 'secretaries day,' or 'corn day,' Earth Day...etc etc. They have a day for every pastime on the planet. Ironically, there was surf on "Surf Day".

And there was not only surf, but good surf in great conditions.

I shared that day with a handful of friends that morning. Besides myself there was Terence Kirby and his son Michael. There was John Wheatley and my good friend Tony Beraradini. The day was magical. Not a cloud in the sky. The water was really warm, in the low 60's. And the surf? Well there had been surf for 3 days prior so that made it even more special.

But I am not gonna sugar coat it. It was hot and humid.

I hate hot and humid. Almost as much as I hate Mosquitoes and Green heads. But I knew, that after I was done surfing in these hot and humid conditions I would be heading for the cool comfort of my AC filled home. And that felt good just knowing that.

(Third photo) The waves we all shared that morning were perfect waist to occasional chest high. And they were perfect. We are so lucky to be able to experience all four seasons here. I mean just a week ago I was in my 4/3 and this week I was in my shortly. That's insane. But that's New England. We get it all.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.

I joke with my friends asking them to remind me in the future about these magical days due to the fact that I am forgetting things more and more the older I get. No I do not have early onset of Alzheimer's, nor am I senile. I am just plain forgetting stuff. And surf sessions, like the one I had on Wednesday, are clearly worth remembering.

It sure did seem and feel like summer all over the seacoast.

My son is a Lifeguard on the Main Beach and the Wall and he said it was as busy as it gets down there. Typical stuff. Mostly kids coming in from inland cities and towns and doing a bit too much celebrating the First Day Of Summer. There were a few minor altercations, intoxication, and the wayward boogie boarder. But nobody got hurt. So it was a good kick off to summer 2012.

But we are just getting warmed up (pun intended).

(Fourth photo) There's a whole lot of summer to go before this thing is finally over. Be smart out there. Don't drink on the beach. And PLEASE Don't BREAK Any Bottles On Our Beaches! PLEASE! If I see, or catch anyone breaking bottles on any of our beaches, I will personally recycle your ass from whence you came from.

Happy Summer Everyone!

(First photo) The surf community came out Sunday morning on Seabrook Beach and participated in the 2nd Annual Walk For Linda Jo Paugh. Linda was a Surfer from Seabrook who was married to Mike Paugh of ZAPSTIX and who passed on December 6, 2010 from Ovarian Cancer. Linda was a special person and for those of us who knew her personally she is still missed.

It was a nice gathering of surfers and non surfers as we all walked the 3 mile walk in her memory. The event is put on each year by Teresa Quinn (Mike's sister) and her husband Bobby who make this happen two years running now.

Teresa and Bobby have hearts of Gold. And the love and compassion they have for Linda and Mike are quite evident.

Mike and I have spoken about a Memorial Surfer Paddle for Linda in the past and when we come up with a date and location I will let you all know. Linda was a Surfer who spent most of her life around surfing. The paddle will more than likely be on Seabrook Beach. Again, once Zappy and I work on a date we will notify you all.

(Fifth photo) This is the board that Mary Callahan has offered to a YOUNG GROM who has NO father and would like to try surfing. Get in touch with me and I will help you get this board.

There must be one young boy or girl who has no dad that wants to try surfing. This is a FREE Board!

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

Poor Kalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) the Mastermind behind 9/11 must
be freaking out down in GITMO with all this heat. I mean, how do you keep cool with all that Beast hair? I wonder if KSM and his cell mates groom each other?

You know, like do they spend time in their cells talking about the good old days of living in the dusty caves of Afghanistan, while they take turns grooming the bugs and lice out of their beastly hair?

What else can you do while waiting for this trial to end?

Note to self: Must pick up a Weed Whacker at Home Depot.

So Lebron got his ring...and honestly? He did it with the insane B-ball skills he has. I mean that guy is a monster on the court. So good for you King James and your Miami Heat.

Speaking of monsters. Coach Sandusky was found GUILTY on 44 of the 48 charges against him. The former Penn State assistant Football coach was charged with molesting young boys for many years while hiding behind his coaching crown. Evil SOB.

Mr Sandusky, you will spend the rest of your life behind bars.

And you will spend an eternity in hell. Unless the devil himself tosses you out of the furnace room. But I wouldn't count on that. I'd prepare
for that heat wave if I were you. Don't forget the sunscreen Coach.