Solstice

Sol means ‘of the sun’. The ‘stice’ goes back into ancient, Latin times meaning to stand still. I’m not sure what actually stands still. The solar system keeps creaking as does the universe and my bones.
The Solstice occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. So I guess we’re all on a tilt too. Right now it’s our longest day. For a moment I do stand still. And think, ‘Our longest day is here, and going, next solstice it will be friggin Winter!

I am
Not
A winter person.

But, warmer summer days are yet to come. “Long, hot, dry days lads!” the drought-ologists tell us.

I have an e-bike. As I ride across the plains past calm and contemplating cows, ancient tractors, those tight blue-plastic wrapped hay thingies (hay-kebabs?) I wonder just how much, even just the squinchiest bit I am doing for climate warming. A fosssil on a bike maybe but no fossil fuel used.

What say I sweat with grandfatherly exertion? Another small step towards climate extinction? A tiltier tilt on the earth’s axis?

Summer solstice. Then the step by step to winter. Stuff it. Enjoy the now. Cafes, mates, the hapily lost souls ready for a chat on the trail. The last one another elderly fellow, a plain bike with bulging pannier bags left home two days ago. He camps down by the road side – “I got bored at home, so, go for a bike ride.”

Summer Solstice. It lasts for only a brief moment in time. The best of summer still awaits.