I love that National Hamburger Day falls on Memorial Day weekend because this weekend feels like the opening bell of summertime. Hamburgers are some of the best things about summer, and perhaps about America since we do them better than anyone else.

Eaten off a paper plate hot off the grill in the back yard, in a sports bar with 4 giant TVs showing 4 different games alongside a beer and a pile of French fries, stuffed with caviar or foie gras or truffles in a shi-shi restaurant in NYC or wrapped in paper and served in a red basket with giant crunchy onion rings and a chocolate shake filled so full that ice cream drips down the side and leaves a puddle on the table. All irresistible, all different, all so American.

Here’s mine today:

 Classic single beef patty, crunchy iceberg lettuce, thin sliced tomato and a little onion with a smear of special sauce on a toasted bun served with French fries and a quartet of dipping sauces:

Under a blue sky (!):

 After all that griping that I did yesterday, the sun got out of bed this afternoon and decided to shine it up a bit. I’m grateful. It means that summer isn’t a myth and is actually on the way. I’m grateful for that too. I’m looking forward to a summer of brilliant blue ocean waves, scuba diving, sun and long hot summer nights on the beach.

What are you looking forward to?

If it’s a burger, you should go get one right now. Hamburger season is open.