The summer solstice took place this morning at 6:51 ET. For me, it is the saddest day of the year.

Coming as it does at the end of a week which brought with it the first seasonal heat wave (and therefore the installation of my window units) and my first summer cold, it portends three months of humidity and humanity, as every weekend, cities, parks and beaches teem with people who lack the good sense to stay home. (Of course I only know this because I wind up going to these places myself.)

The second saddest day of the year is the winter solstice, since from that time forward the days only start to get longer. The happiest day of the year is the first day of autumn. Lots to look forward to then, even though someone tried to ruin the best stretch of the year with the creation of New Year’s Eve and Day. It’s all downhill from March 1. In my heart, may it always be Hallowe’en.

That said, today appears to be as lovely a summer day as can be – under the circumstances. Perhaps I should look into buying a home in Lapland.

Here’s Wilhelm Peterson-Berger’s “Lapland Symphony.” Keep it handy for the next heat wave.