Odessa had the beautiful idea of driving north today to observe the first day of summer in the lavender fields.
In the evening on our way home, we stopped at a farmers' market and had ice cream. I bought some peaches from a stand whose samples were heavenly, also I braved some earl gray honey ice cream that has persuaded me that these earl gray cakes would be a good baking choice.
I think it's time to decide not to buy any more books. I already own more than a full shelf of as-yet unread books.
I spoke about solstice briefly with Sui — she agrees, "You can feel something shifting." It's called "sun-turn" in German, and it is a poignant day for me, because it carries some personal meaning (an easy anchor for memories) as well as all the cultural symbolism of cyclicality, lightening, darkening, passage and return.
I am reflecting.
Summer is usually my least favorite season, but I'm older and wiser each year, and I'm beginning to master it. I have faith for this one.
I am reflecting.
Summer is usually my least favorite season, but I'm older and wiser each year, and I'm beginning to master it. I have faith for this one.
Was Wednesday solstice?
ReplyDeleteI have more than a whole shelf of unread books, but I keep buying books. It's not my fault; they keep publishing books that I want to read.
ReplyDeleteEarl grey ice cream...mmm
ReplyDeleteSolstice marked the halfway point of my summer in Kiev... it's a good feeling, to know what is behind, it bolsters the come-what-may.
When do you depart?
(Did your mom get my email?)
Oh, I'm jealous. Lavender fields are dizzying in the best way.
ReplyDeletedont-flinch.com - Yes.
ReplyDeleteanilee - Ha, at least my problem is not exacerbated by actually knowing about new releases.
Noël - If I depart, it will be early September. She says, yes.
Maddee - Lavender field association (never mind why ) -- you should watch the movie Bright Star if you haven't.
1. You are such a pagan. Solstice??? (Just kidding. You know I love you. Is this comment too controversial? *suddenly self-conscious*)
ReplyDelete2. Yay! I got mentioned. I feel special.
3. Odessa sounds cool, I want to meet her! Then again, ALL your friends seem ridiculously cool... I'm honored to be counted among them.
4. I totally want some Earl Grey cakes... plz.
"I already own more than a full shelf of as-yet unread books."
Mmm... funny how minimalism forces you to cycle through books a lot. Or, forced me. But I ended up donating/selling ones [that I hadn't read] that later on I suddenly wanted to return to and try again: e.g. Walden. And then Grayce took a class on it and she was like "erghh why'd you sell it!" (since it was in San Diego anyway)
I find what a good rule of thumb for me is that unless I'm seriously thinking of reading it, i.e. it's NOT a book I bought just so I could feel more well-read when I'm not actually interested, or a book I got in my teens that, since I had it already, figured "might as well read it" (Flannery O'Conner is one of these books for me), donate/sell it. And if I REALLY want to read it later on, borrow/buy. (Not going to the library really is a luxury, isn't it? I just like knowing the book is there rather than giving myself time limits to finish. Ahhh!)
sui -
ReplyDelete1. a fellow evangelical once confronted me about my interest in solstice. HA.
3. yes, you'll have to come back. she was in NY recently; i would have matchmade you two but i think she was wicked busy.
4. will bake you some if i end up at yours in august.
i totally get these categories, and what you say about cycling...
:) some day i also came to the point where i stopped buying books. afterwards i stopped reading books - which wasn't nice by hindsight, but still an experience. i have to assort my book case soon. maybe i will start right now.
ReplyDeleteps by the way: i really like your blog.. there is something plain and touching about it.
analog -
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to imagine time without reading. Tell us about it sometime if you feel like it.
Thank you -- that means a lot to me.