In Los Angeles, the 2026 summer solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 1:24 am PDT, and since I began today’s Daily Diary entry at 5:30 am, it is already the longest day of the year.
Quick Quiz Questions for this special Father’s Day:
- What is the longest day of the year called?
- What famous prehistoric monument is aligned with the summer solstice sunrise?
- Does Earth sit closer to or farther from the Sun during Northern Hemisphere summer?
- What does the word “solstice” mean?
Answers: 1) Summer Solstice, 2) Stonehenge, 3) Farther, 4) Sun standing still
We worked in the garden until noon, and then it was inside to get ready for Bob & Robin, who are coming at 1:30 pm for a pre-celebration, which means champagne! The Elks are having a shindig, and we are going to be joining them!
We got two messages from Colleen: one to go to the mailbox, and the other was an amazing picture! The mailbox contained an amazing gift, a T-shirt naming the GREAT Grandchildren! You will see it in the coming days!
My New Hampshire Family! Kids, Grandkids, and GREAT grandkids… Oh My!
…and the local family with kids, grandkids, and GREAT grandkids…. I’m prolific!
Two years ago on my birthday!
I remember my father every day, but especially today! Dad was born poor,r and he always wanted to travel and see the world. Finally, in 1961, we headed for Europe. Mom didn’t like traveling. We spend three weeks seeing sights.
Robin and Bob came over around 1:30 pm, and we killed off a bottle of champagne and walked in the garden before leaving for the Elks.
The Elks are cooking up a BBQ for all!!
We all arrived right on time and had great tables off to the side of the stage, meaning we did NOT get blasted by the speakers!
Dianne and Fast Eddie are ready to rumble.
Mary always goes for the handsome guys and wouldn’t you know they would be my prodigy!!
Surrounded by family, son Joe, and grandson Zack!
Peanut is retiring this week, and we plan to get her and Gary some dance lessons. We also invited them to join us for lunch on Thursdays at the Elks.
I got Peanut on the floor despite her saying she could not dance!
Greg and Robert joined the family today, and they fit right in with this crazy group of people. Greg and I have been friends for coming up on 40 years!!
Rober and Crazy Greg joined the gang!
Love is in the air. Mary always makes Father’s Day special for me, and it is quite easy; all she has to do is be herself. I am a blessed man!
Just us!
Donna and Bob fit right into this crazy family. We finally got a chance to dance for the first time in a few weeks, and we enjoyed dancing to the Beach Boys!
Bob and Donna are sitting down. The music must have stopped!
Yolie (Vicky’s sister) joined the fray today, and we were very happy to have her participation!
Yolie is thinking about dancing!!
Mary helps the old man off the floor after two dances in a row. We are all dressed up for the beach, and we are collecting more and more his/hers outfits as we continue through life.
Mary and I terrorized the dance floor many times!
We had the whole corner of the room! It was a secret plan because it was closest to the food, and I am sure many, many trips were made. In fact, Joe is missing, so we know where he is!
The gang is all here!
Alex came along and is now the only son since Charlie is in the woods this summer working as a camp counselor.
The new “Only Child”! Alex with Mom and Dad!
Robin popped in to make sure the old man was doing ok! I assured her I was feeling no pain, no pain at all. My plan worked; Robin and Bob rode with us to the Elks, and I drove. Robin and Bob will drive home with us, and Bob will drive.
Just checking in!
Get the cameras out, notify the local TV station! Yolie is on the floor dancing to the Beach Boys!
Yolie said, “Let’s go Big Boy!!”
The magic occurs, Fast Eddie hits the timbers, demonstrating how he can boogie with the best of them!!
Even Fast Eddie was on the floor!
We stayed until closing time at 7:00 pm. We danced and danced and danced. Bob and I took some total strangers out on the floor (we looked for a table of ladies, went over, and got them up and moving).
The Beach Boys sounded great!
I was in rare form by the time I got home! We were talking about seeing The Sound Of Music last week, and I decided I would sing much to the dismay of my immediate family. As I was singing, it became necessary for me to find the gentlemen’s lounge and Mary, though it would be best if she used a means other than me walking to get there.
I attempted to open a bottle of champagne upon my return but alas, the cork would NOT cooperate! Perhaps
Time to hit the sack. It’s been a wonderful Father’s Day!!!
