Like you, I've been starting to break the year up into "more productive" and "more sleep" portions. In the summer, it's frequently light by 5 AM and I'm awake. In winter? Not so much. I am appreciating sitting and reflecting by the fireplace, instead of the summer go-go-go. As well as making soup.
I come from the Northeastern part of the U.S., so living with the seasons is in my blood. So what do I do when I retire? Moved to the Philippines, which I refer to as "The Land of Perpetual Summer". It's "winter now" so the temperatures are in the low 80's and can dip into the high 70's. Summer is made up of days that taunt us by climbing into the 90's with the occasional 100! I miss the cold, the snow, the long nights, the cocooning days.....and fires in the fireplace! But, it is Solstice, wherever we live.....Happy Solstice everyone.
I'm an arborist who specializes in plant health care, so sometimes I'm extra-aware, as though the seasons smack me in the face. After Samhain, the shorter days really announce themselves to me, and I feel the strengthening desire to retreat. But extreme heat can do the same. To me, the most natural cycle (in NE US) is sorta doubled-up, with lulls in July/Aug and Jan/Feb. But Feb is the best time for most tree pruning, so I try to honor what the plants need and adjust my work efforts accordingly. I Try.
Like you, I've been starting to break the year up into "more productive" and "more sleep" portions. In the summer, it's frequently light by 5 AM and I'm awake. In winter? Not so much. I am appreciating sitting and reflecting by the fireplace, instead of the summer go-go-go. As well as making soup.
Joyous Solstice!
I come from the Northeastern part of the U.S., so living with the seasons is in my blood. So what do I do when I retire? Moved to the Philippines, which I refer to as "The Land of Perpetual Summer". It's "winter now" so the temperatures are in the low 80's and can dip into the high 70's. Summer is made up of days that taunt us by climbing into the 90's with the occasional 100! I miss the cold, the snow, the long nights, the cocooning days.....and fires in the fireplace! But, it is Solstice, wherever we live.....Happy Solstice everyone.
thank you for the poem; that was beautiful. 🖤
I'm an arborist who specializes in plant health care, so sometimes I'm extra-aware, as though the seasons smack me in the face. After Samhain, the shorter days really announce themselves to me, and I feel the strengthening desire to retreat. But extreme heat can do the same. To me, the most natural cycle (in NE US) is sorta doubled-up, with lulls in July/Aug and Jan/Feb. But Feb is the best time for most tree pruning, so I try to honor what the plants need and adjust my work efforts accordingly. I Try.