Category Archives: Current Events

Embrace the Radiance of the Summer Solstice

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As the summer sun reaches its zenith, we celebrate the enchanting phenomenon known as the summer solstice. This annual event marks the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Let’s delve into the significance and magic behind this celestial occurrence.

summer solstice at Stonehenge

The summer solstice, occurring on June 21st this year, is a momentous event that has captivated cultures and civilizations throughout history. It is a time when the Earth’s axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun, resulting in the longest period of daylight and the shortest night of the year.

This astronomical phenomenon holds great cultural and spiritual significance in various societies. Ancient civilizations, such as the Mayans and Druids, observed the solstice with vibrant celebrations and rituals. The sun, a symbol of life and vitality, takes center stage during these festivities.

Beyond its cultural and historical significance, the summer solstice offers us an opportunity to reconnect with nature and embrace the abundant energy of the season. It serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty and abundance that surrounds us. It invites us to spend more time outdoors, basking in the warm rays of the sun and rejuvenating our spirits.

As we welcome the summer solstice, let us revel in the magnificence of the sun’s brilliance and the promise of long, glorious days ahead. Whether through gatherings, bonfires, or personal reflections, let us embrace this special day and honor the vitality and light that it brings to our lives. May the summer solstice inspire us to radiate our own inner light and embrace the joys of the summer season.

The Difference A Year Makes

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What a difference a year makes – even in the Covid-19 pandemic.

We haven’t grown complacent. And we are definitely weary of masks and distancing and scrambling for immunizations but we carry on.

Currently, across the United States, we are seeing around 100,000 new cases of Covid-19 each day. Last year when the cases approached 100,000 per day we had daily briefings from the Whitehouse, governors, local governments and non-stop news station talking heads. This year it is eerily quiet as we load up our hospitals.

Seems like the biggest news stories are the never ending fights over masking, or not; getting vaccinated, or not; returning to the office, or not. The saddest stories are those of the individuals who are now dying while wishing they had been vaccinated. Our politicians are no help at all as they still focus on screwing over the other side more than stepping up to correct this situation. When reviewing what difference a year makes we may never see any improvement from out politicians. Time for some new ones.

We can do better. We must do better. After all, we are Americans.

The Heat Is On!

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The heat is on – and man is it on.

Record high temperatures are being recorded everywhere – and not just by a smidgen but 5 to 7 degrees Farenheit. And there is enough humidity to make sweltering a good state to return to. The figure below shows the heat index postings across the nation as of 3 PM PDT in Seattle.

If the cicadas were still around in large numbers the roar would no doubt be deafening. In their absence, we’ll play a little Glenn Frye.

Glenn Frye – The Heat Is On

Enjoy the day. Stay cool.

Play it loud. Play it proud.

Bessemer has nothing on us.

The devil made me do it.

Only Six Months Until Christmas

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Only six months. Nur noch sechs Monate bis Weihnachten. Dann keine ungezogene Liste mehr. Gott sei Dank dafür.

Six more months of being good (mostly). And guys, that means three more shopping days before all those presents must be under the tree. For now, we enjoy barbecues in the back yard and wish for cooler weather.

On the topic of cooler weather, it was 118 F in Siberia last week and that is above the Arctic Circle. Stranger and stranger this thing called weather.

The current forecast calls for temperatures of 115 F in Portland, Oregon and something above 100 F in Seattle.

Sei brav. And no humbuggery. I know, I know – the world is going to hell or at least it feels like that.

Six more months.

Cruising Cicada Launches Into Slipstream at 65 MPH

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While driving on the interstate yesterday I noticed a cicada on my rear view mirror. Don’t know how it got there but was super impressed that it was hanging on at 65 MPH.

My guess is that the cicada must have been inside the mirror. That it could climb out and hang on for as long as it did was amazing. BUT, there is always a but in there somewhere, but when the wind caught it, it launched going from 65 MPH to zero in short order.

Anyway, it was a unique experience. This year we have had many unique experiences with Brood X.

It’s Cicada Time

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Ain’t we got fun. Critters everywhere – and lots more on the way if the talking heads on the television are correct. Those smart folks said that the cicadas would come out in waves when the temperatures climbed into the 90s. Well, the afternoon temperatures are in the 90s and you can see more bugs every time you look.

There is also lots of discussion about eating cicadas – some even call them the shrimp of the sky. I’m not sure I’ll jump into that, but must note that there are plenty of how-to guides and recipes on the web. My preference is for burgers on the grill or ribs in the smoker. Maybe, just maybe, I’d try some freshly prepared cicadas slathered in Bitchin Sauce – everything is better with Bitchin Sauce on it.