Summer Solstice 2015

Sunday the 21st is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.This means the United States and Europe are experiencing summer, while South America, Africa, and Australia are experiencing the Winter Solstice. What is a Solstice? Well, in the summer it means the longest day of the year (the day with the most sunlight) and the shortest night. Conversely, the Winter Solstice has the shortest days and longest nights. As an American,  it is strange to think of my counterparts in Australia experiencing cold weather while we are sweating our way through the day. 

I am not a fan of summer. I love Fall and Winter when the days are warm and the nights are cool. Summer is sticky and hot at night and sticky and super hot all day. It is in the 90's now. Very hot and super humid during the day. It is the time of year when dusk and dawn are the most productive times to be outside, but folks flee for the indoors between 10 am and 9 pm. Most people look at the Summer Solstice as the beginning of summer. I look at it as the period when the sun finally shifts and days stop being so long. Each day is a day closer to the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. I know there are many who love summer simply because they don't like to be cold. I don't like to be hot. However, summer means gardens and loads of fresh produce, Popsicles, and swimming. Summer does have its good side! 

So,  Happy Summer Solstice!

Enjoy this, the longest day of the year!