I share your feeling of sadness with the summer solstice when one knows the days will inevitably start to shorten. But it always reminds me to make the most of every daylight hour before daylight saving finishes.
Our coast has stark dry eucalypts, coastal scrub and pines so even in winter, we're not allowed to light fires, but we can still celebrate in many unique ways.
Of course, down here where I live, in the southern hemisphere, we're celebrating the winter solstice and hurrah, hurrah, every week from now on the days will be lighter for 5 minutes longer so the legends say. I'll swim tomorrow to celebrate!!!
I totally get it, Mona. Those are wonderful memories and traditions. There is a sadness In remembering and wishing for those days again. Fun, safe, secure.
Happy Solstice! Here in Vermont, much like the UP, the days are longer, and I love sewing in the early evening light - my favorite time of the year for quilting. I miss it when it gets dark. I should be out walking and enjoying the outdoors, but there is something about the creative process when the Golden Hour is so much longer. Listen tonight, and perhaps you will hear the gentle hum of a busy sewing machine.....
What a sweet tribute. My memories of Lake Superior and the camp sharpened. I can smell the trees
and feel that cold, clear water. I can hear and see my relatives busy with camp chores while telling stories of moose and bears. I too grieve the shorter days and those faded memories of the UP and my Finnish roots. I fully embrace the memories and am grateful for them. Yes- the sad passing of the longest day. At this moment, life is long.
I'm sorry, Michael. Truly. I used to try to hide my happy childhood, first because I didn't want anyone who didn't have one to feel bad, and second, maybe I thought I didn't deserve it. We can't choose our childhoods and we have almost no control over how they go. They're often painful and debilitating and totally unfair.
But look at you now. You're seeing the world and the people in it, and your observations show how sensitive you are to those who still struggle. This is your gift.
You do NOT need to apologize for having a happy childhood or for sharing it. Most of us are lucky enough to have good and bad in our lives. And talking about the good can let people share in that good, be inspired by it, or simply enjoy it. And crappy childhood aside, I have been blessed in so many other amazing ways that I simply can't be bothered to waste a nanosecond feeling bad about the not so good.
I'm The Boy Who Hated Summer (because of the humidity, the bugs, and I'm not a beach person) so the first day of summer to me is when I begin the countdown to the first day of fall. It's September 23 at 2:50 am ET and I can't wait for the crisp fall air, the hot tea, the smell of the heat coming on, and the days when I can wear pants again.
(Don't be funny, I mean I hate wearing shorts in the summer.)
LOL. There's always that one... You wouldn't be alone up here in the hinterlands. Lots of crazy people up here love winter much more than summer. They can't wait until the snow flies and they're shivering!
Thanks. I spent the first 36 years of my life in Michigan. But I got tired of working outside in the long, overcast winters so I moved to North Carolina, where the sun shines all year and winters are mild. I didn’t have to ask my wife twice, she was ready to go also.🤣
I totally understand. My husband and I were Snowbirds for 18 years, once in NC (Beaufort), a few years in Pensacola and Orange Beach, AL, and the rest near Myrtle Beach. He died last March. Both of us loved Michigan but not the winters!
It is. We loved New Bern--stayed overnight there several times--and the Outer Banks. The mountains are beautiful, too. We used to make Maggie Valley one of our stopovers on our way to the coast. Had two accidents in two different years, neither one our fault, in almost the exact same place in Hendersonville!
Loved this. Solstices became anchor points for me to emotionally stabilize and for the first time, I took off on Summer Solstice. I wanted to be out, be in the sun, and relax. It’s been a good day but I’d like to do something special for each.
It’s so interesting you got to see celebrations and have fond memories.
There is something about that longest day. We're creatures of light, I guess. I do treasure those Solstice memories. My relatives in Finland are the lucky ones now. it still goes on, bigger and better than ever.
I share your feeling of sadness with the summer solstice when one knows the days will inevitably start to shorten. But it always reminds me to make the most of every daylight hour before daylight saving finishes.
Our coast has stark dry eucalypts, coastal scrub and pines so even in winter, we're not allowed to light fires, but we can still celebrate in many unique ways.
Of course, down here where I live, in the southern hemisphere, we're celebrating the winter solstice and hurrah, hurrah, every week from now on the days will be lighter for 5 minutes longer so the legends say. I'll swim tomorrow to celebrate!!!
I totally get it, Mona. Those are wonderful memories and traditions. There is a sadness In remembering and wishing for those days again. Fun, safe, secure.
That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I’ll definitely be doing something special for the summer solstice. It won’t be a bonfire. But it’ll be something!
Happy Solstice! Here in Vermont, much like the UP, the days are longer, and I love sewing in the early evening light - my favorite time of the year for quilting. I miss it when it gets dark. I should be out walking and enjoying the outdoors, but there is something about the creative process when the Golden Hour is so much longer. Listen tonight, and perhaps you will hear the gentle hum of a busy sewing machine.....
What a sweet tribute. My memories of Lake Superior and the camp sharpened. I can smell the trees
and feel that cold, clear water. I can hear and see my relatives busy with camp chores while telling stories of moose and bears. I too grieve the shorter days and those faded memories of the UP and my Finnish roots. I fully embrace the memories and am grateful for them. Yes- the sad passing of the longest day. At this moment, life is long.
What lovely thoughts, Lisa. Yes!
What a lovely memory to have. Growing up, we had no community at all really. I've always envied those that did. I'm glad you did.
I'm sorry, Michael. Truly. I used to try to hide my happy childhood, first because I didn't want anyone who didn't have one to feel bad, and second, maybe I thought I didn't deserve it. We can't choose our childhoods and we have almost no control over how they go. They're often painful and debilitating and totally unfair.
But look at you now. You're seeing the world and the people in it, and your observations show how sensitive you are to those who still struggle. This is your gift.
You do NOT need to apologize for having a happy childhood or for sharing it. Most of us are lucky enough to have good and bad in our lives. And talking about the good can let people share in that good, be inspired by it, or simply enjoy it. And crappy childhood aside, I have been blessed in so many other amazing ways that I simply can't be bothered to waste a nanosecond feeling bad about the not so good.
Thanks, Michael. I was away almost all day yesterday and missed this. You always manage to say the right things!
Could you tell Brent that? 😂😂😂
Would he listen? 😆
I'm The Boy Who Hated Summer (because of the humidity, the bugs, and I'm not a beach person) so the first day of summer to me is when I begin the countdown to the first day of fall. It's September 23 at 2:50 am ET and I can't wait for the crisp fall air, the hot tea, the smell of the heat coming on, and the days when I can wear pants again.
(Don't be funny, I mean I hate wearing shorts in the summer.)
LOL. There's always that one... You wouldn't be alone up here in the hinterlands. Lots of crazy people up here love winter much more than summer. They can't wait until the snow flies and they're shivering!
Sweet memories near and dear to my heart.
Thank you for the reminder.
I also mourn the summer solstice because as you say - the inevitable shortness of sun light begins.
As a former Michigander, I think fondly of trips to the UP. My wife is also intensely saddened by the shortening of the days.
Compadre! Nice to see you here!
Thanks. I spent the first 36 years of my life in Michigan. But I got tired of working outside in the long, overcast winters so I moved to North Carolina, where the sun shines all year and winters are mild. I didn’t have to ask my wife twice, she was ready to go also.🤣
I totally understand. My husband and I were Snowbirds for 18 years, once in NC (Beaufort), a few years in Pensacola and Orange Beach, AL, and the rest near Myrtle Beach. He died last March. Both of us loved Michigan but not the winters!
Yup. Beautiful state. But so is North Carolina.
It is. We loved New Bern--stayed overnight there several times--and the Outer Banks. The mountains are beautiful, too. We used to make Maggie Valley one of our stopovers on our way to the coast. Had two accidents in two different years, neither one our fault, in almost the exact same place in Hendersonville!
We are near Raleigh. But have visited most of the state. Just like we did in Michigan. We have been here 17 years.
Loved this. Solstices became anchor points for me to emotionally stabilize and for the first time, I took off on Summer Solstice. I wanted to be out, be in the sun, and relax. It’s been a good day but I’d like to do something special for each.
It’s so interesting you got to see celebrations and have fond memories.
There is something about that longest day. We're creatures of light, I guess. I do treasure those Solstice memories. My relatives in Finland are the lucky ones now. it still goes on, bigger and better than ever.
I'm glad you got to enjoy the day.
I guess he knows me too well...