Summer Solstice 2023

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - SUMMER SOLSTICE 2023

Summer Solstice 2023 has arrived! This is the first day of the calendar summer, giving us the longest day of 2023. Summer is here at last! Andiamo in spiaggia! Let's go to the beach!

As soon as Christmas is over, I literally count the days until summer. It's my favorite time of year. To me, summer is time to take a break from life. It feels like a big pause. I especially love the longer days of sunlight. We've had cooler temperatures this week, but I'm sure it will warm up soon. In the meantime, enjoy the longest day of the year.

I took a walk today on the Long Beach boardwalk to welcome summer. The vast open sky and lighter than usual crowds gave way to a relaxing stroll. This is a special community, and the people are very friendly. There's something about the sea air that opens people's hearts and minds. Maybe it's because life is just a bit slower by the ocean. 

Many cultures, both ancient and modern, celebrate the sunlight with rituals and holidays. The term solstice comes from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "stitium" (still or stopped). It is used to describe the exact moment when the poles are titled at their maximum toward or away from the sun.

The summer solstice has been observed by humans since as early as the Stone Age and was a significant holiday for many ancient cultures. In the past, summer solstice traditions included spreading ashes from bonfires across one's garden to bring a bountiful harvest, to wearing protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off evil spirits. The significance of the summer solstice to ancient cultures had many aspects, including calendaring, crop planting and agriculture, moving their camp or housing location for nomadic peoples and annual cultural ceremonies.

Ancient Romans celebrated the arrival of the summer with a religious festival in honor of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. Women would enter temples named for the goddess to leave offerings with the hopes of receiving good blessings for their families. Preghiere per ottenere risposta. Prayers do get answered.

In Ancient Greece, the summer solstice sometimes marked the new year and became a time to hold a festival for Cronus, the god of agriculture. Even slaves were allowed to break social codes and participate in the festivities.

The alignment of Ancient archaeological structures such as the Great Pyramids of Kufu and Khafre on Egypt’s Giza plateau suggests Ancient Egypt observed the summer solstice as well. That's because if you're standing directly in front of the Sphinx, the sun sets precisely between the two pyramids on the summer solstice.

Many Native American tribes performed solstice rituals. The Sioux took part in a "ceremonial sun dance around a tree while wearing symbolic colors." Researchers believe that Wyoming's Bighorn Medicine Wheel, an arrangement of stones that has been found to align with the rising sun at the summer solstice, was the site of the tribe's annual dance. Remaining tribes still take part in solstice rituals.

Whatever way you choose the celebrate the solstice, I hope it brings joy in your heart and peace in your soul. It is the time of year that many of us look forward to spending long hours on the beach, in the park, in the daylight, and in the dark as those family barbeques linger well into the evening. I'll take a hot dog and a cheeseburger please!

Welcome Summer 2023! You have been away too long.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, summer is especially welcomed as the warm weather is good for the mind, body, and soul. Oh, those aching joints!

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SKYARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - THE PARRISH ART MUSEUM

The Parrish Art Museum is a place to discover and connect with art and artists with a focus on the rich creative legacy of the East End and its global impact on the art world. I was there this week, and the open landscape that it stands on is in itself a work of art.

Inspired by the natural setting and artistic life of Long Island’s East End, the Museum illuminates the creative process and how art and artists transform our experiences and understanding of the world and how we live in it. The Museum fosters connections among individuals, art, and artists through care and interpretation of the collection, the presentation of exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, programs, and artists-in-residence. The Parrish is a center for cultural engagement, inspiration, and artistic splendor.

For more information, visit www.parrishart.org.

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK 

What's your favorite childhood memory or summer?

Please put your answer in the comment section below. I'd love to hear from you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - SUMMERTIME from PORGY AND BESS

Lyrics

Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's a-nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mommy standin' by
One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's a-nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mommy standin' by

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WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE

Hello and thank you for reading my weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, representing Bay Shore and towns beyond. My articles are about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to and things I want to explore. There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Please consider becoming a subscriber. There are several levels, and it’s easy to do. Just open the newsletter and the subscribe button is there. As a subscriber, you will receive a copy of my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. You can do it yourself or email me to discuss this at christineskylark@aol.com. You can also PM me. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.