It’s Solstice. Always a bittersweet time for me. I love the long evenings, here the sky is bright till 10.30 and the sunsets spectacular, often painting the sky in oxblood. But I’m also aware that now we are at the top of the roller coaster plunging slowly downwards to shorter days, longer nights. Solstice. I want to race around the trees, dance naked in the moonlight, wake the birds from their slumber. As I did once upon a time.
I’m down with another one of those colds that seem to plague me after each trip out of here. I had a brief layover in Toronto between flights and I seem to have picked it up there. Naturally the dreaded “Swine Flu, ZOMG!” flits through my brain like so many bats in a belfry until I am brought down to earth by the thoughts of those who would give anything to have my symptoms. One dear friend in Ontario on life support due to respiratory failure and another who had his leg amputated from diabetes last year now facing the amputation of his other leg. He’s still smoking, of course. And a dear friend here in Newfoundland who had unexpected major surgery when she was on vacation out west and is still recovering and will be for a while.
Perspective. I drag it forcibly into the belfry and start shooting it at the bats.
I still have files to clear up, columns to write, stories to edit, the to do list is long. How silly it would all look if I was taken seriously ill suddenly. How meaningless. And no, I’m not depressed today, just reflective. I plan to meet with some friends in the afternoon, walk the dog, have dinner in an inn that has become a favourite and finish reading my latest book, a whopping 500 packed pages.
I marvel at the service still provided to me by a computer technician from Toronto who handled my IT dilemmas there. I called him yesterday due to Vista spooler problems. I could not print. On either of my printers. I had tried everything, web solutions, re-installs, updated drivers, etc. Saturday evening, hopeless, right? Daniel called me back within an hour and sorted it all out on the phone with me. It took 30 minutes.
How much do I owe you? I asked, willing to pay just about anything as I wept with relief. Oh, $30, he said, it only took half an hour.
Yes, these magical people walk among us, restoring our faith in the generosity of the human spirit.
Oh! I'm sorry you're down with a cold (hope it's not 'flu). Planes are just about the worst kind of incubation area for cold germs - I've noticed that myself over the years - often coming home with a cold or, worse, having one at my vacation destiation.
ReplyDeleteSolstice Greetings! - My own thoughts on the matter are opposite to your own (as at my blog today) - I guess it's appropriate Leo/Aquarius are opposite in the zodiac. :-)
Feel better soon, WWW and take it VERY easy.
WWW,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you are under the weather. I hope it is only a short spell of post holiday blues and that Gerty gloom soon dances off far away from your patch.
Rest plenty and take care.
When I put the trash out at 10:30 pm, it will still be light out and I will be sad that this is already the longest day of the year when the summer hasn't even properly started yet. I feel I'm being short changed or something. No running around naked for me in the streets. We are too inhibited for even such an action. Yes, even we Dutch people who invented free love and cannabis.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew where the pagans were getting together, because I'm sure they are celebrating the solstice in a proper ceremony. Some blowing of horns and calling out ancient chants in the woods or in a field.
I hope you aren't really getting sick and it's just a bout of hay fever. You don't have time to be sick. Your schedule is packed.
You've got a nice IT guy. We should all have someone that handy.
Hugs,
Irene
T:
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad I'm not alone on these pesky little viruses that rise up only after being away!!
As to Solstice, I think we're on the same page as I commented on your blog!
I just took some of that frankenniquil so it should be be under and soon!
XO
WWW
T:
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad I'm not alone on these pesky little viruses that rise up only after being away!!
As to Solstice, I think we're on the same page as I commented on your blog!
I just took some of that frankenniquil so it should be be under and soon!
XO
WWW
GM:
ReplyDeleteThing is, I was so looking forward to getting back here, I overstayed I thought in Paris.
Anyway, still hacking but off to bed soon for a good rest.
Thanks for the good wishes.
XO
WWW
I would join the pagans in Toronto now and again, many there celebrating around the trees in the woodlands.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you could find them close to where you are, Irene. I forgot to look here, I'm often surprised at the offbeat communities in Newfoundland!
XO
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The Summer Solstice has no effect on me whatever, I must be insensitive to those subtle cosmic resonances. Still, there are plenty of other excuses to celebrate life!
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky to have such a helpful IT buff. When I have technical problems, I usually find myself connected to some call centre on the other side of the world that might or might not be of any help.
I couldn't help also think that teh days start getting shorter already - but it's a long long way to go yet. Hope you enjoy the second longest day of the year!
ReplyDeleteNick:
ReplyDeleteOh I hate those call centres, that's why I find it so important to have a local knowledgeable person on hand to sort me out! Well worth the cost, and when it's so low like mine almost for nothing!
XO
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Yes, Conor
ReplyDeleteA good reminder to stay in the moment!
It is raining here today but the ground needs it, we've had far too long a dry spell for the farmers (like me, tee hee!)
XO
WWW
That is just as lovely a sunset as we are blessed with here on the Georgian Bay.
ReplyDeleteGet well,eh.
Thanks GFB, yes I do love Georgian Bay!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
did you take that picture? that's truly gorgeous. i'm so sorry it's raining and you're not feeling well. here, it is muggy and hot. tomorrow it will be well over 100 degrees. the dogs will not like that.
ReplyDeletethe host of the party i was at on sunday night is garrison keillor. he's a writer and radio star here. i didn't mean to be coy but i didn't want my blog to be found by people googling his name...