writing our way whole: 14 at home following the sun

This week I went through Dhruvaloka’s south-facing front door with a watering can for the tomato plants. It was midday, near-midsummer, and a letter hung in the balance, from my letterbox, as a treat for later.

Ripping the envelope I realised with warmth that it was from my near-neighbour, a few doors down from us at the Cambridgeshire home where I spend my midwinters with family.

Along with a cheerful message about vegetable gardening (our shared delight), Prue had sent a photo, taken from a calendar that supported the Day Care Centre in Over.

A view of our home, Dalefield, of nearly thirty years. Complete with the Campervan (part of the family for over a decade) that took us north so many Maytimes …This was our Removal Van when I moved north to escape the hot summers and to explore life as a part-time hermit, part-time-poet, and full-time Kathy.

The picture was taken (in late autumn by the look of the leaves), at least five years ago – as I know that some of the trees shown on the council verge are no longer alive.

The seat on which George, Lennie, Sylvie, used to sit to enjoy the Yesteryear Road Run procession through the village had yet to be renovated, although it has outlived each of these friends in turn. The fundraising Road Run ceased in ?2016.

And the view was captured by the photographer (uncredited – apologies – any ideas, friends from Longstanton or Over?) facing south-east.

From indoors at Dalefield you can follow the sun all the way round, in midsummer, except for the tranche between northwest and northeast when it is well below the horizon for a few dark hours.

From Dhruvaloka, in contrast, the sun dips down to “have a little sleep now” (as we used to exhort our over-alert baby) for a mere three hours, and the evidence of it stays, staining the sky above the north-western hills, for longer than that.

Brain dump

Intention setting at the Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is all about heightened energy: power, courage and strength. It is a fabulous time of year and one to enjoy in community through celebration and visioning for the future.

from Summer Solstice retreat 2020 at thewayofthebuzzard.co.uk

Further Resources

Is there truth in a voice like that of Polonius (in Hamlet) when he bids his son Laertes:

to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man

William Shakespeare, ‘Hamlet’ Act 1, scene 3, 78-82

or is William Shakespeare using this to comic, ironic, and comparative effect?