Summer Solstice

Happy Summer Solstice! To those in the northern hemisphere any way.

This.



Thank you, Mary Oliver.

Happiness to all on this Solstice!  

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer Solstice has actually always made me feel glum. Part of it is living in Maine where it is said we have two seasons:

1. Winter
2. Getting ready for winter

With today being the longest day of the year, that just means we are now descending closer towards winter. Just 19 days ago we had frost, so to think of the days growing shorter day by day, is what makes me glum. Frost will not return again until September granted, but as the weather people say each day the shortening of the days, I get melancholy.

Travis Johnson wrote:Summer Solstice has actually always made me feel glum. Part of it is living in Maine where it is said we have two seasons:

1. Winter
2. Getting ready for winter

With today being the longest day of the year, that just means we are now descending closer towards winter. Just 19 days ago we had frost, so to think of the days growing shorter day by day, is what makes me glum. Frost will not return again until September granted, but as the weather people say each day the shortening of the days, I get melancholy.

Uff. I'm sorry for the glum, Travis.

I'm kind of amazed at how long the winters are in Montana, too. Being from Seattle (five years ago now!) which doesn't really have winter, the upside of Montana winters for me had been more sunlight. And the snow brightens the days just so beautifully! And the the dry cold is so much easier to take IMHO than the constant damp drizzle in Seattle. I've learned I love shoveling snow here. Admittedly, we probably don't get as much snow as Maine, though it's an activity that gets me outside doing something useful and caretaking of my home, so I enjoy it.

The way I look at it with the shorter days is that we'll get some respite from the heat. It does get hot during the summer days here in Montana, more than Seattle, though mercifully it cools off most nights. If it were longer days, we might not have that welcome cool and fresh air in the wee hours.


 

Thank you for sharing!

It is the longest day of the year and the dates of earliest sunrise and latest sunset ...

Dang, summer solstice already, well, it's all down hill from here.

Bryant RedHawk wrote:Dang, summer solstice already, well, it's all down hill from here.

Noooo! It's a joyous time of growth and lovely summer time!!

:-D

Just because I said it is all down hill doesn't mean it isn't good times. It is easier to walk down hill than climb up hill.
For us this is when it is all about the harvesting

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Uff. I'm sorry for the glum, Travis.

I'm kind of amazed at how long the winters are in Montana, too. Being from Seattle (five years ago now!) which doesn't really have winter, the upside of Montana winters for me had been more sunlight. And the snow brightens the days just so beautifully! And the the dry cold is so much easier to take IMHO than the constant damp drizzle in Seattle. I've learned I love shoveling snow here. Admittedly, we probably don't get as much snow as Maine, though it's an activity that gets me outside doing something useful and caretaking of my home, so I enjoy it.

The way I look at it with the shorter days is that we'll get some respite from the heat. It does get hot during the summer days here in Montana, more than Seattle, though mercifully it cools off most nights. If it were longer days, we might not have that welcome cool and fresh air in the wee hours

Without question a lot of it is location. Because of the moisture coming off the ocean, it is damp here in the winter, and that dampness cuts right through any clothing. When I was in Minnesota that was the first thing I noticed, it might be -20 degrees below zero, but it felt warmer then here at the same temperature because it was so dry. There was 10,000 lakes, but being frozen, there was no moisture in the air.

It does not help either that the last two winters have been extremely difficult, with incredible cold and lots of snow. Last year was the 4th snowiest on record, 122" of snow. Add in all the extra costs of winter and I am dreading winter already.

And finally winter stolice this year came in with some sad health news. After 15 months of battling cancer I just found out I did not win, and have to keep going, only this time knowing my foe is stronger than I thought. Considering how tough winter is, I am not looking forward to winter as well as, that.

Travis Johnson wrote:
And finally winter stolice this year came in with some sad health news. After 15 months of battling cancer I just found out I did not win, and have to keep going, only this time knowing my foe is stronger than I thought. Considering how tough winter is, I am not looking forward to winter as well as, that.

Travis, if only I could bottle summer sun, vitality, plus the growth, abundance and healing health of nature in some kind of lovely vessel and send it to you there. My wish for you is all that and more.

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:

Travis Johnson wrote:
And finally winter stolice this year came in with some sad health news. After 15 months of battling cancer I just found out I did not win, and have to keep going, only this time knowing my foe is stronger than I thought. Considering how tough winter is, I am not looking forward to winter as well as, that.

Travis, if only I could bottle summer sun, vitality, plus the growth, abundance and healing health of nature in some kind of lovely vessel and send it to you there. My wish for you is all that and more.

Aww thanks...just a little glum these days that is all. Thanks for the well wishes!!