“In two weeks it’ll be the longest day in the year….Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day in the year and then miss it.” — Daisy Buchanan, “The Great Gatsby”

I love the longest day of the year and, unlike Daily Buchanan, I never miss it, ever. I think me and my godfather Milt (God rest his soul) were the only two people on the face of the earth that liked the version of “The Great Gatsby” starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Sam Waterston was great as Nick and Bruce Dern was fine as Tom. Of course, Karen Black was kind of annoying as Tom’s object of affection, but I really enjoyed the flick.

But I digress…

Tradition in our household is that on the longest day of the year we light candles, and this year, I supplemented my indoor candles by lighting the tiki torches outside on a sweltering summer night and putting the new Beach Boys CD on the wireless audio to watch the dusk fade to black over a chilled Pinot Grigio. Took a couple of swims under the torches and it was very nice.

Hard to believe we’re past the halfway point of the year. A month from now Goodboys Invitational weekend will be over. The funny thing about Goodboys every year is that you start getting revved up to see everyone starting in, oh, about May, and then, come Sunday afternoon, once the winners have been determined, the trophy and jackets presented, and the final pigeon sheet bets paid off you can’t wait to get your tired and hungover body the hell out of there and back to the safety of hearth and home until another year. A few months later and it’s time to start looking forward to Vegas in February.

But that’s what makes it all so great. And I can’t wait to see all the lads again.