Happy Solstice

The solstice brought with it true summery weather, that led to hours spent outside.

A little bit of work, lots of play, and a clover flower crown for dad

Here's to the rest of the season holding as much promise as this first day of summer.

Happy Solstice

Stonehenge trip 1993

"The festival of the summer solstice speaks of love and light, of freedom and generosity of spirit.  It is a beautiful time of year where vibrant flowers whisper to us with scented breath, forests and woodlands hang heavy in the summer's heat and our souls become enchanted with midsummer magic"   Carole Carlton

Happy Solstice

Preparing for the Solstice

Since we will be headed out of town late next week to visit family, I will not be around for the solstice celebration that we have been planning at the Eco Justice Center. What better way to participate, than gather with a couple of ladies at the farm and spend a couple of hours hand dying solstice prayer flags.  Our goal was a sunny disposition to the flags that will be placed on sticks and carried in a parade celebrating the wonderful wildness of summer. 

This is my first time dabbling in dyeing and it was so easy and lots of fun.  A couple of things that I learned, at least when dealing with turmeric.....

It does not take much.  The recipe that we were using indicated 1 cup of turmeric to four quarts of water, that seemed like a lot and I can assure you that two quarts of water heated with 2-- .75 oz Jars of turmeric was plenty.   We hand twisted the fabric in a tie die fashion, and just held the little 8x7 flags in the hot water for about 30 seconds (until we could feel the hot water seeping up into the knot we were holding).  We set them aside on a plate until we were done, then took them outside, unfolded them and hung them to dry.  That is it.  Simple, beautiful, natural.

Solstice

It is late evening,

the children have settled.

I step quietly into the dark, languid pool.

The only movement comes from the ripples

I create as I advance deeper into the abyss.

There is a shallow fog, floating just above the surface,

silently dissipating into the cooling night air. 

I float, watching the last, fleeting teal grey color as it streaks the

Western sky, and I exhale.

Solstice.