I think summer's overrated

I don't get it.  Why does everyone love summer so much?

Sure, for a select few summer is amazing.

If you're a teacher, you can look forward to ten weeks off.

Or if you're a student, no homework for a couple of months.

If you own (or even rent) a beach house — well, that's pretty great.

Or if you use the summer time to travel to interesting places, I'm jealous. My friend Susan just returned from a 4-week trip to Europe and Southeast Asia. My sister went to Alaska.

But if you are like most mortals...there's much not to like about summer.

Today, for example, it's hot. Too hot to function outside.

I walk a block and feel exhausted.

Most people look sweaty, smelly, and miserable.

If you live in a city like New York, it's generally hotter than the surrounding areas. In fact, according to some expert I googled, 

"In cities, a phenomenon known as the 'urban heat island effect' causes air temperatures to be warmer than in nearby suburban or rural areas." 

No wonder NYC is a ghost town on summer weekends.

Oh, and when it's hot out, you are limited to how little you can wear. But in winter, for example, just layer up and wrap a scarf around your face and you're good to go. You can always add clothes, not so the other way around.

And of course fall/winter fashion is so much more exciting and interesting than spring/summer fashion.

The busses here in NY are freezing, so if you are dressed for ninety-degree weather, you still better be carrying a sweater.

But not on the subway. The platforms there are dreadfully hot; even the rats stay hidden.

I can take shower,  but as soon as I walk out the door I feel the need to shower again.

Humid weather is bad for hair.

Scorching sunlight is bad for skin.

Give me a snowy, freezing cold day any time over heat and humidity.

But one week from today I'll be on the Cape. 

And there, at least, summer is, as summer should be.