Must be Summer!
As fair as I am, I love the sun. Without it, we would cease to exist, after all. I also have a healthy respect for the sun; ever since my first real sunburn in my early teens. This happened to coincide with my first real rip current experience (Hueneme Beach, CA). Scary. My utmost love (and respect) goes out to the sun and the sea, along with my gratitude. The majority of my best life experiences revolve around the fire and water elements.
For many years, I celebrated Summer Solstice all weekend long at my friend Tom’s place in the Connecticut woods. This spot is filled with natural beauty and is the holder of many a summer memory. It was Tom’s grandfather’s hunting lodge, and Tom and his friends have done their best to honor and maintain the character of the land and lodge. I miss the place and the people.
This year, Paul and I rang in summer with a Jimmy Buffett concert. Can’t get much more summer-ish than that, methinks. Don’t you love it when you go to a concert and the weather is just right and the people are friendly and the beer (or, in my case, wine) is cold; all taking place before the music has even begun?
Friends + music + sunshine + pizza and beer = Solstice
As we walk through the parking lots, I am reminded of wilder times. At one point in my life I wondered if I would ever actually “mature”. I am happy to report that I have indeed matured, yet can still appreciate and celebrate my (sometimes) wild youth. And that I actually survived it.
Bead Me!
What pleased my heart and soul most was the fact that, in spite of the hard times many of us have fallen upon, this place was absolutely packed with Parrotheads and Parakeets. Kudos to Jimmy Buffett for keeping the party going for no less than four decades now…
"With all of our running and all of our cunning/If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
Of course I want to know what the Solstice means to you. Do you celebrate it? Do you have any fun summer plans? We do. They haven’t fully taken shape yet, but we are free to roam for the entire month of August. Did you hear that, Colorado friends? Cause we are soo headed your way…you do remember us, don’t you?
Tell us...how do you plan on celebrating summer???
Tip: If you don’t have any fun summer plans yet, feel free to make some up. Then promise me you will do your best to make them happen. We all deserve some summer fun!
A telltale sign that Paul had a good time...
And yes, it has been a while since my last contest. So, for every comment you leave on any CC blog post from now (6/21/2010) through Sunday (6/28/2010), you will be entered to win a prize of the Celebrating Summer Solstice variety…game on and good luck!
"As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man/I have chalked up many a mile"...
Summer in “The City”…from Shakespeare in the park to bike rides on the riverside…and ill just try to ignore the humidity -__- haha
I remember going to NYC when I was a little kid and doing my best to dodge the dripping AC units…
Oooh, Shakespeare in the park. If I were a rich girl, I would send you tix to London. You would love the Globe Theatre, I am pretty certain of it.
In the meantime we will make the best of our sticky New England summers, eh?
Just wanted to say it again: You look great with short hair!!!!!
Thank you, Christine…you are now automatically entered to win twice. Just kidding everyone!
So glad that you celebrated the solstice with Jimmy and friends!! What a great way. I have to report that I’ve not taken the time to ever celebrate it – can you believe??? I’ll have to start though – tonight!! Going out for some wine and good conversation.
It’s never too late to begin celebrating the Solstice! As a matter of fact, you can make up for Solstices past by celebrating it all summer! I can help you…I am good like that ; )
Summer Solstice. Discovering that when you order Sauvignon Blanc and get chilled Merlot instead…all you need to do is mix it with some Chocolate M&M’s and everything is right again.
Indeed, Carolyn. Indeed. A new Solstice tradition is born.
Colorado in August? I thought you were traveling across the big pond
Not sure, as Paul just returned from England…ideally we do both with our entire month off…I will e-mail you our thoughts…maybe you can help me brainstorm : )
it’s too hot in texas for a bonfire at the summer solstice, so i like to light lots of candles and leave a note next to each one. some are worries to let go and some are hopes for the future. as i go around blowing out the candles i reflect a moment on each one and then release them into the ether.
Very nice, Kim! What a great tradition. I started my one month of daily yoga last night, which appeals to my spiritual self moreso than tailgaiting : )