So who thinks this turning point in our hours of daylight comes way too early in the summer season? (Hand raised high here and waving.) Shouldn't the longest day of the year occur in . . . oh, perhaps August? Okay, maybe even July would be more appropriate than June, for heaven's sake. Personally, I've always thought of mid-July as being the middle of the summer season.
I truly don't mind whatever time it gets dark at night (well, okay, darkness shortly after 4:30 p.m. in December can really cut into your day), but I do love the early morning hours of light and brightness. It definitely helps me get up and going when the light streaming in our bedroom window at an early hour seems so pristinely fresh and the only sounds of the beautiful new day are those coming from awakening birds and the occasional squirrel or chipmunk scrabbling up the pole to the sunflower seed feeder.
Isn't it easier to pull yourself out of bed without the shocking glare of an electric light being turned on?
I won't get all Debbie Downer about our shortening days. After all, it will be a couple/few months before any noticeable difference will really be detected. Still plenty of time to thoroughly enjoy this season currently upon us. Life is good and each different period of the year holds its own attraction.
The important thing is to enjoy and appreciate the here and now. Try not to live in the future. Or as the saying goes: Don't put off your happy life.
The rest of the daylight days of 2018 will be good days, even if they are going to be a smidge shorter from here on out.
P.S. The flower pictures aren't of the garden this year yet. I'm just dreaming of things to come. (Oops, is that "living in the future?!")
Pretty pictures, where ever they came from...
ReplyDeleteWise words too...
I do get kind of tired of all the moaning and groaning, soon to come, about the days getting shorter. Come on. It's not that noticeable for a while.
But then again, I don't fear the shorter days of past autumn. Which some people really do. I'm lucky in that, I always viewed earlier twilight, as being cozy. Where some people, really have a hard time, with SAD. Thankfully, I don't.
But like you said, let's strive to live in the present. And get as much joy out of each 'present', as possible.
And right now, I am so happy, that our weather is not hot/humid. But is clear. Sunny days. Crisp nights. Gorgeous twilight sun coming across the lawns, turning everything golden. :-) Joy! Yessss!
And I do agree, I have a bit of a hard time, with "Midsummer" being in June. June is still early Summer, to me. July and August are high Summer. Etc.
ReplyDeleteBut it is simply the turning of the wheel of the year. Which depends on the sun. Not on our calendar. "In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice occurs when the Sun reaches both its highest and northernmost points in the sky." (Old Farmer's Almanac)
The sun rules! But we can still feel that mid-Summer is like, between July and August. :-)
I love that! "don't put off your happy life." Words of wisdom
ReplyDeleteDon't shoot me; I'm counting down the days till Fall!
ReplyDeleteWise words.....since I have taught myself to live for each day I have been a lot more at peace with myself and the world. Nice photos. Would get some flower seeds planted if I had somewhere to put them! Perhaps a row or two in the raised beds?
ReplyDeleteOur zinnias are not blooming just yet either. They are sprouted, but a long way from beauty. Such a late year this year. And the weeds are everywhere. Hubby and I sat on the back porch last night and laughed as I said, "look, we are growing grass in rows, ha ha ha!
ReplyDeletewisps of words - The flower pics were taken in my garden in 2016. Our season has been so slow this year I'm wondering if they will EVER bloom this year! I'm like you and am happy to cozy in when the days of late autumn/early winter roll around. Learning to live with the seasons make for a happier life. I realize SAD is a real thing for many, but getting outside and letting the sun shine on your face whenever you can in the winter helps. Most of us tend to stay cocooned inside when the weather is cold. Not good!
ReplyDeleteSmartAlex - That saying kinda goes along with only living in the future. Sure, hopefully things will be better or we'll reach our goals or have more money or . . . on and on in the future, but this day, right here and now, is all we have for sure. So we'd better darn well enjoy it! ;o)
Michelle - I hear you, and am kinda/sort right with you!
Vera - I can sense a new feeling of peace and contentment with you. You're setting a good example for all of us to follow. Yes! I always stick some flowers here and there in the raised beds. They add so much color and interest and if you believe in companion planting, some veggies even grow better with blooms next to them!
Kristina - My zinnias (so far) are a big bust this year! I started them indoors, they sprouted and stayed teeny-tiny forever! I finally set them out a week or so ago and they are so small they look pathetic. I've never had that happen before. Go figure.
Lovely post. Very reminding to live and be in the present. For whatever season we are in. :)
ReplyDeleteI like mixing flowers in with the garden. Zinnias have sprouted well, but no sign of the cosmos. :(
ReplyDeleteMrsDM - Thank you, m'dear! I think especially when we're running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off and busy, busy, busy, it's important to slow down (maybe stop!) and look at all around us that we should be thankful for and appreciate. Let's keep reminding each other, okay? :o}
ReplyDeletetpals - I'll trade you some of my fuzzy, frilly, ferny cosmos for some of your zinnias!
Timely words on your part. We have just been lamenting the Solstice. We are just getting started growing here and to think we are on the downhill slide is disheartening. When we were kids, summer started with Memorial day weekend and ended with Labor day weekend. Sometimes being an adult and knowing the truth isn't all that great.
ReplyDeleteWe have been finding it hard to go to bed when we need to with all the added light. And we need to keep the blind open to get cooler air as the evening damps down. So we are running around sleep deprived - that is what the Solstice has done for us here!!!
2 Tramps - Ah yes, "Sometimes being an adult and knowing the truth isn't all that great." How true, how true.
ReplyDeleteWe, too, find it hard to wind down and get into bed at a decent hour these nights when it's light until almost 10 p.m. up here in the north. On the other hand, I don't think we need as much sleep in the summer time when light and brightness prevails. This doesn't make a lot of sense since we definitely work harder physically during the summer months.
Being sleep deprived, though, is simply not good . . . so what do we do to combat that? Good question. Let me know when you figure it out. ;o)
Hi Mama Pea (hand waving that the solstice is TOO early!)
ReplyDeleteI vote for the longest day of the year being in November....then the shortest day of the year being in December. I could handle that. :)
Whether they are last years or not, those flower photos are gorgeous! :)
Rain - Hmmmmm, we are going to have to give your calendar suggestions some thought. ;o) But . . . you may be on to something. Hope your Sunday is wonderful as is the upcoming week!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem fair that we peak in June. I don't mind the shorter days in winter, because it makes me feel all cozy and justified in sitting for hours, knitting by the fire. But we should have lots and lots of daylight from April through September. Who do we talk to, to get this worked out? :)
ReplyDeleteSusan - Who says we peak in June? Ohhh, you mean the daylight hours peak in June! I knew it wasn't me 'cause I am plumb worn out. June has been a crazy, busy month 'round about these parts. However, I do believe it's a temporary thing and I shall recover. ;o) Could have something to do with the fact that I was awake from 2 a.m. until 4 a.m. this morning and then got up at 6, too. Arrrrgh.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You have been nominated to see about getting all of us those daylight hours from April through September. If you should decide to accept this mission, good luck.