What is your favorite summertime song? Perhaps a rockin' Beach Boys tune or something sultry like "Under the Boardwalk"? Whatever is it, I am sure that when you hear it you are immediately transported to a place that is warm, relaxing and stress-free, and isn't that what summer is all about? The calendar tells us that summer has arrived when the summer solstice occurs. According to Wikipedia, this is when the earth's axis tilts so that the northern hemisphere is closest to the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year. For the next several months the days will get shorter but, until then, we can all revel in the wonders of summertime livin'!

No real summer plans here but many people think it is always summertime in Los Angeles. We do have seasons in California, they are just not as pronounced as they are in other areas of the country. But summer is always special. Longer days to enjoy the beautiful beaches and those amazing sunsets that occur late into the evening. A chance to experiment with a new summer cocktail, entertain outdoors and close shop early when it is just too beautiful to be indoors.

Fortunately, one of the summer items southern California does not have to suffer through are bugs. But that did not stop Martin Pierce from creating wonderful and whimsical hardware designed after those pesky critters. How cute would one of these be on your outdoor cabinetry or indoors at your beach or lakeside retreat? For those of you working on commercial projects, consider adding this detail to an indoor spa or as guest room hardware in an appropriate location.