Signs of Summer Solstice

Litha, the Wiccan sabbat celebrating the summer solstice, arrives next week.

Obviously the warmer temperatures, fireflies at night, trees in full green regalia and kids running through sprinklers are some of the signs of the season.

Here are a few more:

Strawberries are in season here in Central New York. "U-Pick" Strawberry signs are popping up all over.

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Oh, boy! Farmers Markets are opening all around! Every week something new is on display.

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That screaming you hear is likely due to the fact that the school bell has rung for the last time this year.

 

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And now the kiddies are heading off to enjoy swimming, canoeing, poison ivy and hiking.

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Also the smell of barbeques being fired up all over the neighborhood, after-dinner runs to the ice cream shop or perhaps the scintillating sounds of the blender whipping up strawberry daiquiris to sip on the deck.

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Savoring summer is a joyful occupation.

And for Wiccans, it is a time to celebrate the full and glorious return of Light, the flourishing of all Nature and the opportunity to honor the Goddess and the God in their aspects of full health and vivid life.

Gliding

A good soaking rain today for which I say "Thanks". Such hot weather again over the last few days and the trees, shrubs, gardens are drooping a bit. Humans and dogs drooping too. Can you say "Ice cream, please"?

Last night, as the weather changed, a beautiful glide on our porch swing. A buoyant breeze passed through the garden. Sighing in relief, we swung and watched the fireflies bouncing in the wind, enjoyed the ker-roaking of frogs from a nearby pond and were blessedly free of mosquitos, thanks to the breezy-ness.

Simple pleasures provided by Nature are often the most profound.

Hotness, and I don't mean the weather

A certain Swedish blogger I know (Hi Christer)  is going to shake his head and groan when I write this. BUT, today is Johnny Depp's birthday and I can't let it pass, nor should I, right Stacy? For all you Depp Darlings out there, our dreamy fella turns 49 today. I would so enjoy presenting him with a birthday cake, wouldn't you?

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Just got the new Eli Monpress book. This is the book I talked about last month, written by Rachel Aaron. A wonderful author with imagination and skill. The latest book about the irrepressible Eli is called The Spirit War. I have read about 50 pages and it looks to be as great as the other books in this series. Give it a try, seriously.

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Speaking of books, a good one for those interested in the celebration of a wonderful Wiccan sabbat is called Midsummer, by Anna Franklin. This lovely book explains all about the Summer Solstice, (Litha is the Wiccan name for this sabbat) including traditional events, food, customs, rituals, folk lore, crafts, correspondences. A ton of info. I enjoy reading these type of books a few weeks before a sabbat to refresh my memory and to get charged up for my own observance.

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All for today. Have a wonderful Saturday.

Friday Afternoon

So I have spent the morning running errands, driving here, there and everywhere. I find I don't like shopping much these days. Unless it is books or garden stuff, or the metaphysical shop. It is hot in the car, people can be rude in parking lots, and there is just too much junk in the stores. Junk!!

Anyway, sorry about the grumpy start to this post.

It is Friday, we will be grilling this weekend, finishing up garden tasks and maybe a movie!  Everyone is invited over to my back porch, okay? 

Have a super weekend.

Time to Get Dirty

Yes, a little behind in the planting department. But correcting that is a priority over the next several days, despite dismal weather forecasts.

Here are some plants waiting to be popped into containers. Petunias, angelonia, dusty miller, diamond frost and a new plant I don't remember the name.

Look at these sad, empty containers waiting for their summer finery. Soon, my darling pots, soon!

Shocking state of my garden. Weeds doing splendidly, thank you. Though the sage is in bloom (the blue flowers you see here), and the creeping thyme is creeping nicely over the edge. I have seeds to sow, after weeds are pulled.

We planted this clematis two seasons ago. This is the first year it has bloomed, and it is spectacular. This photo does not do the flowers justice. (click for a closer look).

Here is another clematis, "Roguchi", that I absolutely love. The bell-shaped blooms are a major draw for the hummingbirds and bumblebees. This clematis has bloomed and thrived from the very beginning (3 seasons ago). And there is Lexie in the background (the tail of lashing death in full view)

I hope I will have lots of wonderful garden photos over the next few weeks. Magickal herb plantings are on my mind, too.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday Medley--Robin wins an E-Book!

Does it drive you nuts that I am always changing my blog backgrounds? I like to have a seasonal kind of look. And sometimes there are special occasions. So I go to the blogger template area and browse their offerings. I am not techno-creative, you know, so I can't make my own stuff, or headers or buttons and all those neat, but totally confusing-to-me additions.

Anyway, guess what? I won an e-book!! Totally unexpected. It was all part of Magaly Guerrero's blog event. She is that terrific witchy writer, you know. Her blog is here: Pagan Culture  She has just released her latest story "AlmaMia Cienfuegos" and had 13 days of celebration. Visiting different blogs each day. Fun for all. The day Magaly visited Stacy's blog Magic Love Crow I left a comment there, and that's how I won my own e-book copy of Magaly's wonderful story. You should go visit Magaly's blog to find out all about her book and other writings.  Big thanks and hugs to Magaly and to Stacy too!

Now you know I don't have an e-reader, eek! Fortunately though my son Nicarus was home when I received Magaly's email with my gift from Amazon.com. He clicked through all the "stuff" and downloaded a PC e-reader function for my laptop. I didn't even know you could do that! (See, I know nothing, Jon Snow!) (oh, the Jon Snow thing is a reference to "Game of Thrones" in case you haven't read the book). Am I rambling? Yes, but never mind!!

Let's all of us have a really great week. Safe, sound, happy & healthy! Blessings & hugs from Robin.

A Merry Meet

A rainy, coolish day. But a little rain won't keep a Wiccan and her family, driving from Pennsylvania, getting together with a Wiccan in New York. Kim, also known as Lady Caer Morganna from her blog http://thewiccalife.blogspot.com/  along with her husband and his parents, are headed north to Ontario, Canada to partake of a cruise. In order to get from Pennsylvania to Ontario it is necessary to pass through New York, specifically, Syracuse NY. And who lives in the Syracuse area? Me.

So a few emails and phone calls later, a bit of geographic confusion on both our parts, we settled on a meeting place. The anticipation definitely built up over the few days before our rendez-vous. How great to meet someone in person that you have known close to two years! Between reading each other's blogs, commenting, emails, etc, a friendship grows. You all know how that goes, right?

Robin  (sitting) and Kim

Trying to lean out of the glare from the windows behind

A memorable time with giggles and chatter, chuckling and smiles. Great company! Kim's husband is very sweet and his parents are adorable! A true pleasure to meet them and enjoy a meal together.

Kim and I had gifts for each other. The photo below is of the beautiful presents Kim gave me.

Beautiful gifts from Pennsylvania Dutch country. I will treasure always.

Here is Kim looking at the journal I gave her.(a tiny bit of her hubby there too)

Our get-together was too short, of course; short, but sweet.  A heart-warming meeting of kindred spirits, Wiccan sisters, true friends. I am certain we will meet again.

Kim waving farewell

And off they go on their great adventure in Ontario. In spite of the weather, a beautiful day.

Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!!