This is not the best picture I know. But, I was so excited to see the Strawberry Moon last night that we ran out of the house without my Nikon; so I snapped this on my iPhone. The moon was still low in the sky, but it had a pinky-peachy golden hue about it and the night felt magical.
I headed out for my walk this morning in the pouring rain, with a podcast that Mr. Michie introduced me to, blasting in my ears. It was a dark and creepy theme, which fit the morning’s gloom perfectly. I rambled along, changing my normal route as I went. My main goal was to try to avoid being splashed by the cars that were speeding by. I was drenched when I came home. I left a very wet trail behind me as I weaved my way upstairs to warm up in the shower.
The rain was coming down so hard at times and bouncing along the pavement, that it’s what Mr. Michie would have called, “dancing rain” if he was walking with me. The weather definitely didn’t make it feel like we are celebrating the Summer Solstice today. The afternoon has brought with it the sunshine but dark clouds still threateningly linger.
My Mom told me that the full moon tonight is a Strawberry Moon. This, coinciding with the Solstice, won’t happen again for another 70 years! I hope the sky clears up enough tonight that I can see the moon in all her strawberry glory.
The Summer Solstice, always makes me think of my Swedish neighbour who lived next door to us when I was growing up. He would sit outside for hours in the summer watching the fire flies flicker on and off as the they gently floated around his yard. He liked to keep a portion of his garden wild, so it always looked like a wildflower sanctuary. He loved the light and relished in the long days that summer brought.
After spending a portion of winter in Denmark, I can fully comprehend the Scandinavian appreciation for light, as darkness seems to envelop you during the winter months (even though everything feels cozy by the glow of candlelight that seems to bathe the Danish world in a golden amber hue.)
I thought about him on my walk this morning as I rambled along. It’s funny what little triggers can make a memory flitter through your mind.
As the line goes from one of my favourite Bob Seger songs, “I awoke last night to the sound of thunder. How far off I sat and wondered?” We had one heck of a thunderstorm last night and on my walk this morning I had to navigate a minefield of puddles. They were more like mini lakes than puddles.
There was a mist trailing through the woods and wrapping around my feet as I walked. I didn’t pass anyone today. The woods belonged entirely to me. The air was cool and the world smelled of earth.
Today is the first day it has truly felt summery! Last week, we were so chilly that one day, it was actually colder than Christmas day! But today, we’ve hit a balmy 80°F, the sun is shining, there is an occasional breeze blowing by. It feels WONDERFUL! Now, I just want it to last!
I ate fresh strawberries and cantaloupe for lunch today. The strawberries were so deliciously sweet, their juice squelched in my mouth and they tasted of summer. Today felt like a beach day. I’m ready to put my toes in the sand, finish reading my book and just listen to the waves roll in!
Here’s to summer! Long may she last!
We celebrated the 4th of July by heading to the beach. Mr. Michie has never been to Brighton and it has been many, many moons, since I was last there myself. It’s only about an hour outside of London, so it’s a nice outing on the train. We went to the Royal Pavilion, which is such a fascinating building and lavishly decorated in Oriental decor. We did a spot of shopping in the Lanes and stopped to snack on a sausage and mustard roll.
We walked along the water, strolled to the end of the pier, ate scampi and chips, ice cream, played crazy golf, and visited the aquarium. Which is the world’s oldest operating aquarium and still retains it’s gorgeous victorian gothic structure inside.
We came home feeling like we had just been on a mini vacation. What a treat!
“Oh, Doris! Did you hear?”
“No, Joni. What?”
“School’s out for SUMMER!”
“Whoopee!”
The students have officially left the building and even though I’ll still be working for a while longer getting things cleaned up and ready for next year, it will be done at a less frenetic pace.
{Image found HERE}
It is very hot here today. Even for a girl from the South. As I was walking to the tube station after work, I passed this wooden popsicle stick sitting in a pool of melted orange popsicle juice. It just struck me in a funny kinda way. It feels like a melted popsicle kinda day. That wooden stick in a puddle of orange, just summed it all up for me.
Fresh berries, with lemon zest and a sprinkle of sugar. Ready to be stirred and ladled over fresh shortcakes and whipped cream. Shortcakes just say Summer to a girl from the South.
