Heat Wave

Whew, it’s hot! Here in New York City, like much of the East Coast, we are in the grip of a sticky, steamy heat wave. It’s a little early in the season for this and New Yorkers don’t do all that well in the heat anyway.

Still, there are benefits. The pace of life slows down and talking about the weather doesn’t seem so superfluous. Some of my friends from the Deep South actually enjoy these sweltering conditions. “This is what summer’s supposed to feel like, y’all!” they quip.

Well, tell that to Millie. It’s too hot for her daily run to the dog park and she’s going a little crazy cooped up inside the apartment (though she likes dozing beneath the air conditioner). She woke me up in the middle of the night last night playing with a loud squeaky toy in the living room, getting some energy out.

One thing that is cool in the summer is music. It’s the season people have written the most songs about. I have some definite faves…"Summer in the City" by the Lovin’ Spoonful, "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly & the Family Stone, Gershwin’s "Summertime," and just about anything from the B-52s, the quintessential summer beach band ("Rock Lobster," anyone?).

There’s tons of hot summer hits but being a Motor City boy, my all-time favorite summer tune is, of course, "Heat Wave," by Martha and the Vandellas.

I have to go jump in a cold shower now. So what’s your summertime play list? Post below. Happy Heat Wave, y’all!