Is next weekend really the Fourth of July? Already?!? What happened to June? What happened to summer? Independence Day usually feels like a mid-summer celebration. We had all of June to enjoy the warmer weather and longer nights. Summer peaks post-July 4th, and the holiday is the perfect way to welcome the onslaught of true summer. But 2009 is a whole different story! Of course, I can only speak for Pennsylvania (and I think I can echo the sentiments of most Northeasterners), but what is with the weather? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we are even in the month of March or April, certainly not June. What are supposed to be warm, sunny days have instead been rainy, cloudy and dreary days.  What gives? Hopefully, the forecasts for 80-degree, sunny days are a sign of good things to come for the remainder of “summer.” Looking ahead at the 10-day, we have four days of possible thunderstorms, but the rest of the days promise to be cheerier. While it is not my favorite season, I am ready for some nice weather. I am sick of constant rain.  And, as if the rain were not bad enough, the humidity is killer. There is nothing worse than walking outside into the pouring rain and being hot and soaked with rain water. And some of the thunderstorms recently have been intense — pounding rain hitting my house like I have never heard before in my life. The forecast for July 4 (I know, I know — it’s 10 days away, but I am looking forward to it) is promising: morning clouds, sun in the afternoon and highs around 82. I say cheers to America and cheers to summer! (Let’s hope next week’s forecast does not change the predictions!) –Kim Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and PR executive