Summer is drawing to a close.
Of course, I know this because next week is my birthday, which typically marks the end of summer. Today was actually our daughter's 31st birthday... time flies!
But I also noticed because the sun is doing its journey across the horizon. One of the joys of living near a west facing coast is that we can track the time of the year by where the sun sets.
At midsummer, it sets behind Protection Island; in midwinter it sets behind the Olympic Mountains. We are far enough north that the difference is considerable.
Meanwhile, the shadows are becoming "longer" and the air has a different "color." My Auntie — whom I often mention here — taught me how to look at the light.
As I often do, I found myself falling into a bit of a reverie, contemplating how long I have spent more time observing the environment around me, rather than the people in it. Perhaps it's a strange thing to say, but I feel like I have a better understanding of the workings of the planet, than its inhabitants.
Tomatoes are still a while out, thanks to a cold spring...
Regardless, today I really noticed how the days are visibly shortening... the evening light is fading.
For no particular reason, I found myself cycling through an inner debate as to what "my favorite season" is. There has never been a clear winner on that one... and I doubt we'll crown one, this year!
With the recognition of the passing seasons, the chorus of "shoulds" tried to make itself felt in my mind, but I silenced it. This was not the moment to think about pruning trees and digging holes.
I pondered — for just a few moments — how we got to a place where there are so many things in life we feel like we "have to" take care of.
Cilantro, in bloom...
Typically, we don't have to, we choose to. But admitting to it being a choice means having to stand in full accountability for our actions... or IN-actions.
And that can be uncomfortable.
Slowly, the darkness settled in and I was quietly grateful for the short interlude of beingness. After all, we are Human BE-ings, not human DO-ings.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your week!
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Created at 20220824 01:27 PDT
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