Sunday, June 21, 2009

WELCOME SUMMER ~ ' MAGICAL' SUMMER SOLSTICE

"Then followed that beautiful season...
Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


REMAINS OF A SUMMER DAY
_______________________



Solstice, from the Latin for sun stands still, in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°).At the solstices the sun's apparent position on the celestial sphere reaches its greatest distance above or below the celestial equator, about 23 1/2° of arc. At the time of summer solstice, about June 22, the sun is directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer.In the Northern Hemisphere the longest day and shortest night of the year occur on this date, marking the beginning of summer. At winter solstice, about December 22, the sun is overhead at noon at the Tropic of Capricorn; this marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. For several days before and after each solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky, i.e., its noontime elevation does not seem to change from day to day."

Solstice information courtesy of ~




SUMMER SOLSTICE
(Hubbard Lake)
__________
"Whatever is dreamed on this night,
will come to pass."

~ William Shakespeare
(A Mid-Summernight's Dream )

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Joey, that photo of the sun and wineglass with tree reflections? Fantastic! Absolutely wonderful and a perfect summation of all that is good about summer: sunlight, growing things, good friends and the pleasures of relaxation. Happy summer to you!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I second that! Gorgeous shots. I would have said that second one was my favorite had I not seen that stupendous first one!
Brenda

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Ooh, artsy and cool photo. Inspired! My long-time friend Jaana lives in Finland and they have huge bonfires for mid-summer. Me like fire. :)

beckie said...

Oh Joey, to be sitting at the lake sharing a glass of wine with you would be the perfect way to celebrate the arrival summer.

Love the photos-each a delight and evoking the quiet of a summer's eve.

joey said...

How kind, jodi ... the evening was magical and fun to shoot. Wishing you many memorable evenings and the joys of summer.

Thank you, Brenda and Happy Summer ... know you will be enjoying your new deck!

One of my most favorite days, Monica. I hold it in my heart, especially on long winter nights.
Wishing you all the joy of summer's best!

Indeed fun, Beckie! I know Thelma & Louise would enjoy the lake as much as I do ... so come :)

Roses and Lilacs said...

What beautiful photos. Your view is wonderful. It has become oppressively hot and humid here. Hope this miserable weather isn't headed in your direction.
Marnie

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

I have to pinch myself as I cannot believe how quickly the solstice has arrived. It only seems like yesterday that I was keeping an eye out for frost.

I need a glass of wine.

cheers

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Joey and thank you for this lovely post! The images are just.... magic!

Gail said...

Joey, Your images and recipes are always fantastic, but I think these two are my favorites! How wonderful to sit and see the sun reflect on Hubbard Lake...and in the wine glass...just fabulous. Gail

thre inadvertent farmer said...

Great post...that last picture on the lake is gorgeous! Kim

joey said...

Oh yes, oppressive and humid, Marnie. I was spent crawling out of the garden today. Can't wait to get back to the healing lake and family this weekend!

Cheers Rob! I'm with you and can barely believe how fast time flies ... so ... let's enjoy the gift of summer!

Welcome 'magical' summer, Tatyna! Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Like sitting beside you in your garden, Gail, I would love to share a 'magical' evening like this with you. I never take a moment like this for granted ... each day at the lake we pause at sunset and thank God for another beautiful day on this earth.

Thank you, dear Kim. I know how you treasure each beautiful day.

Rose said...

Beautiful photos, Joey! I hope you do get back to the lake this weekend; it looks like such a peaceful and cool retreat. Summer has also come here with a vengeance--hot and humid. I'm being very lazy lately:)

Frances said...

Happy Summer to you dear Joey! The pink on the lake as the sun sets, or it is rising? is what makes life worth living. The reflection in the wineglass of the forest trees is the perfect touch to begin this magical time.
Frances

Anonymous said...

I know where these pics are from and they are stunning. I don't want to see the days start to shorten but I do love about every season except the dead of winter.

joey said...

Hi Rose. Each day spent back here is time precious and must tend the garden, exhausting in this wilting heat. Entertained last eve and though I love to be outside, we were forced to dine inside on the enclosed cool porch. Yes, summer is here ... but off again to the refreshing lake for the weekend, anxious to see my sisters (one just arrived back from Florida :) Stay cool.

Happy Summer to you, dear Frances. This is a magical solstice sunset in front of our cottage ... we are also blessed to have the equinox set directly in front. We often spend the remains of the day in awe.

Hi dear Anna ~ oh, how I also dread the dead of winter when it's dark at 5 ... am always a bit sad to see the days begin to shorten.

marmee said...

lovely memories you are making this summer. that first photo is great with the tree reflecting in the wine glass with the sun directly behind the glass...so beautiful. makes you want to be there.
hope you are having a delicious wonderful summer so far.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Your photos are magical! They capture the spirit of the solstice.

joey said...

Enbraced the lake this eve, dear Marmee, and though different, each evening is magical (how fun to share it with you :)

Taking a bit of a break since life calls, BIG TIME ... my thoughts for a beautiful summer are with you since I know, like me, you appreciate the gift ... and focus on your 'favorite things' :)

Thanks MMG ~ may the finest of summer fill your heart with wonderous memories!

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Beautiful photos Joey especially the wineglass, pure art.

Greetings from Tyra in THE GREENHOUSE

Anonymous said...

I just love to see your Hubbard Lake sunsets, beautiful! Is your cottage there at the lake? How lucky you are!

joey said...

Thanks Tyra ... memories are made of this and sustain us through long winter nights. Summmer hugs.

Hubbard Lake sunsets are always special, Robin, each unique. We are indeed blessed to have found this beautiful piece of earth/lake. Yes, this is where our cottage 'Wa-gi-daa-king' (Ojibwe meaning 'on top of a hill') is. In fact, I'm writing from here now ... family just left after sunset supper. God is good :)

Unknown said...

Oh Joey, these images are so beautiful!!! The wine glass photo...wow!! What a view!

joey said...

You are a dear ... thanks Kanak. Let's all raise a glass and toast to a beautiful summer!

Anonymous said...

Just stopping back by to tell you that I'm loving that you are at the lake so much. big hugs to you and Nancy. Miss ya!

Catherine said...

Gorgeous pics as always Joey!
But the wine glass & sun set picture is breathtaking! ~Now there's a pic for your calender! :)
Hope all is well, sorry it's been so long since I visited!
Enjoying your beautiful post's, pictures, words, & some Peanut M&M's!
Hug's
Cat

joey said...

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Anna. Yea ... gearing up to head back for 10 days instead of a short weekend.

July hugs, dear Cat, and thanks! So happy to hear from you. I have bumps in my bathing suit from all the settling peanut M&Ms ... I thought you promised me that they were non-caloric and a must for a healthy diet :)