There is piping plover news in Chicago, but since I understand Cynthia is occupied in the great outdoors for a few days, I'll wait for her return and then post a summary. (I like to defer to her as the wildlife expert; plus, I don't want to even appear to be acting as her substitute in posting animal information.)
I enjoyed Part 2 also, though it was more of a sermon (do you call it a homily?) than a survey of the effects of prehistoric astronomy on various northern cultures, as was Part 1. Didn't expect this was where you were going with Part 1 as the setup. But I can hardly complain, as you quoted C. S. Lewis, and he's always to the point. That "1 John" guy knows what he's talking about, too, and so does his friend Peter.
Christian Emergency Alliance on X: "UPDATE: Her name is Teqla. Her father was injured in the attack and is undergoing surgery. Several members of her family were also wounded. Pray for Teqla, her family members, and all the Christian families devastated in today's church bombing." / X
I’ve sent them a donation. But sometimes I am crazy, other times merely tempted to be. As I look at the picture of Teqla in the post above, my first thought was “I should comfort her, I should adopt her”. Her father is in surgery and might live, she might not end up an orphan, but this idea is crazy. I’m too old to do this again. I could be her grandfather easily enough. I told the story to Katie, and before I told her what my initial thought was she responded she was afraid I wanted to adopt the little girl. After I showed her the photo, she told me she understood why I responded as I did. But she can’t support it, it’s too crazy for us to do it. Fly to Syria to adopt a traumatized little girl who doesn’t speak English? But yeah, I’ve been praying about it. The timing is awful. That is why I pray whether or not this is a leading or not.
But if you ask why I generally oppose war, it’s not because soldiers fight and die (which is bad enough) but that the soldiers fight and the innocent civilians also die.
Leadings are from our Heavenly Father, so it's more about faith than obligation. The scary part about the leadings in my life is that a) they come out of the blue, b) they take me clearly out of my comfort zone, and c) I don't understand why, at least not now, and most of the time not for several years. I think I've shared before i had the leading to adopt our daughter 5 years before she was born!
So, on a surface level, this fits all three! But it doesn't mean it is a leading. So we'll see.
In my view, pacifism isn’t something anyone has to apologize for. It has a long tradition in several philosophies. I may not share the view, but I think it’s entirely defensible in its own right.
Good morning. 75 degrees already. Another 90 plus degree day in store.
Both the mothership and the FP are covering the aftermath of the US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with only a small mostly symbolic retaliatory strike against the US airbase in Qatar. The Iranians provided advance warning and no one was killed.
Cynthia, have you given having your own Substack newsletter any thought recently? You definitely have things to say, an ability to write and a ready-made auction here!
Hubs is a farm boy at heart, even after a long and very different life. Whenever possible, he plants a small garden. Even using Earth boxes if the yard doesn’t allow for better. When we moved to SC, he planted a pollinator corner where the bees are busy now, his tiny garden is alive with color and movement. Back in TN, it’s time to start the second wave of summer crops like beans, squash, and cucumbers. Hubs told me long day plants, like tomatoes and peppers, are in their element and we’ll soon have fresh salsa to share.
It seems solstice is a period of peak vitality—a reward for the hard work of spring planting and preparation, a time to appreciate the warmth, light, and nourishment that God gives so freely this time of year.
I don't plant out my cherry tomato plant until Memorial Day, or a few days later, but once that's done it doubles in height every few days, or recently, just about every time I look at it! Once the cool temperatures are done with, the intense sun is like flipping a switch, and they're off to the races. I used to see tomato plants that had way outgrown their pots at the store. It was difficult to keep them watered, because what was in the pots was mostly roots, by that time.
Planting a garden is ann act of hope...someone said. Mine's doing well, tomatoes are flowering and showing a few starts. Finally got some fresh basil for my noodles.
Hope and resilience. I've never had basil hang over into the next season. I let it all go to seed, but none of it ever takes. My tarragon comes back every year, but it's perennial. I'm growing a basil that never flowers... so it remains sweet well into the Autumn.
I got my rosemary plant through the winter indoors. The previous winter, it had died. Hard to know why.
I don't even attempt to keep basil going over the winter, or even for it to self seed. But direct sowing (which I did a few days ago) brings results pretty fast. A few weeks from now, I may be able to start harvesting basil leaves to go with tomatoes (bought, at this point) and fresh mozzarella.
I just repotted my third rosemary plant. Maybe 4th, if you count the ones I tried to grow from seed. One was in a sunny spot but didn't get enough water, two others got too much water and rotted. I have potted this one in with lots of sand, and movable so I can find a place were it is happy. We have lots of trees.
I tend to wonder about our modern world in terms of the world I imagine our forebears inhabiting. A world where we lacked the technology to have artificial light during the dark hours of the day and of the year, for instance, would have made celestial events like the solstice so much more meaningful—or so I imagine.
The dark is a place of secrets and sinister motives. But at the same time it is necessary and restorative as a part of the day-night / life-death cycle.
What’s hard to imagine is that we have ever wanted anything more than to conquer darkness, to bathe the world in perpetual light.
And now I’m off to conquer more lawn and garden work…
I had in mind more the artificial light intensity that would allow people comfortably to read by—the kind of “artificial daylight” that was first possible on a large scale with electrification (or possibly some urban gas lighting). Learning to control fire or to make wicks for candles or oil lamps was an advancement, but on-demand wall-switch universal household lighting was a completely new category.
I read this a while ago, might read it again now because I don't remember much of it. It was interesting but got a little sour (insertion of politics) at the end.
Although Merriam-Webster recognizes "forebearer,"which I had never even heard of before, it also recognizes "forebear," which I always understood as correct. Surprising that M-W doesn't address that or classify one of them is a variant. But Garner's Modern English Usage is very definite on the subject, classifying "forebearer" as an incorrect form of "forebear" and giving it the ol' asterisk of death to mark it as an "invariably inferior form." So "forebears" is in fact preferred by the experts.
Merriam-Webster does offer a little info on where the "bear" part comes from:
"This -bear is not to be confused with the -bear in the unrelated verb forbear, which comes from Old English beran, meaning 'to bear or carry.' [So neither one has anything to do with the ursines!] The -bear in the noun forebear is a combination of be-, from the verb be (or, more specifically, from been, an old dialect variant of be), and -ar, a form of the suffix -er, which we append to verbs to denote one that performs a specified action. In this case the 'action' is simply existing or being—in other words, -bear implies one who is a 'be-er.'"
Interesting. I had never heard of "forebear" in the sense of "ancestor", as a synonym for "forebearer".
Merriam-Webster makes clear that "forebear" is the older term. But the first published use of "forebearer" was in 1852, so it's not exactly disfavored. Personally, I think "forebearer" makes more sense as a noun and "forebear" as a verb. But maybe that's just me.
There is piping plover news in Chicago, but since I understand Cynthia is occupied in the great outdoors for a few days, I'll wait for her return and then post a summary. (I like to defer to her as the wildlife expert; plus, I don't want to even appear to be acting as her substitute in posting animal information.)
I enjoyed Part 2 also, though it was more of a sermon (do you call it a homily?) than a survey of the effects of prehistoric astronomy on various northern cultures, as was Part 1. Didn't expect this was where you were going with Part 1 as the setup. But I can hardly complain, as you quoted C. S. Lewis, and he's always to the point. That "1 John" guy knows what he's talking about, too, and so does his friend Peter.
A recent editorial from the Chicago Tribune:
'Want To Know How A Socialist Mayor Would Govern New York City? Ask Chicago'
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/23/new-york-city-johnson-mamdani-cuomo-chicago/
Beautifully written. Thank you for injecting more meaning into the summer solstice. I typically just think of it as the longest day of daylight.
I might post this at the mothership. Caution: the embedded photo is graphic.
https://x.com/ChristianEmerg1/status/1936891423779066015
Christian Emergency Alliance on X: "UPDATE: Her name is Teqla. Her father was injured in the attack and is undergoing surgery. Several members of her family were also wounded. Pray for Teqla, her family members, and all the Christian families devastated in today's church bombing." / X
I’ve sent them a donation. But sometimes I am crazy, other times merely tempted to be. As I look at the picture of Teqla in the post above, my first thought was “I should comfort her, I should adopt her”. Her father is in surgery and might live, she might not end up an orphan, but this idea is crazy. I’m too old to do this again. I could be her grandfather easily enough. I told the story to Katie, and before I told her what my initial thought was she responded she was afraid I wanted to adopt the little girl. After I showed her the photo, she told me she understood why I responded as I did. But she can’t support it, it’s too crazy for us to do it. Fly to Syria to adopt a traumatized little girl who doesn’t speak English? But yeah, I’ve been praying about it. The timing is awful. That is why I pray whether or not this is a leading or not.
But if you ask why I generally oppose war, it’s not because soldiers fight and die (which is bad enough) but that the soldiers fight and the innocent civilians also die.
Jay, you have already adopted. No one can impose on you an obligation to adopt another orphan. (I agree, that picture is heartbreaking).
Hi Phil
Leadings are from our Heavenly Father, so it's more about faith than obligation. The scary part about the leadings in my life is that a) they come out of the blue, b) they take me clearly out of my comfort zone, and c) I don't understand why, at least not now, and most of the time not for several years. I think I've shared before i had the leading to adopt our daughter 5 years before she was born!
So, on a surface level, this fits all three! But it doesn't mean it is a leading. So we'll see.
I'll say a prayer for your discernment, Jay. God bless you.
100% agreement.
In my view, pacifism isn’t something anyone has to apologize for. It has a long tradition in several philosophies. I may not share the view, but I think it’s entirely defensible in its own right.
Well stated. I agree.
Pacifists perform the vital function of keeping honest, those of us who do not shy away from the appropriate use of military force.
Perhaps the leading is not down the obvious path.
Grace and peace for you and for Teqla and her community.
Brothers. And family in general. It seems humans believe that the love part is supposed to be obvious and so not necessary to teach.
This was a joy to read amidst all of the heartbreak. Thank you, Cynthia.
Good morning. 75 degrees already. Another 90 plus degree day in store.
Both the mothership and the FP are covering the aftermath of the US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with only a small mostly symbolic retaliatory strike against the US airbase in Qatar. The Iranians provided advance warning and no one was killed.
Cynthia, have you given having your own Substack newsletter any thought recently? You definitely have things to say, an ability to write and a ready-made auction here!
I could do it, I have before...but, it is too time consuming for me these days
Hubs is a farm boy at heart, even after a long and very different life. Whenever possible, he plants a small garden. Even using Earth boxes if the yard doesn’t allow for better. When we moved to SC, he planted a pollinator corner where the bees are busy now, his tiny garden is alive with color and movement. Back in TN, it’s time to start the second wave of summer crops like beans, squash, and cucumbers. Hubs told me long day plants, like tomatoes and peppers, are in their element and we’ll soon have fresh salsa to share.
It seems solstice is a period of peak vitality—a reward for the hard work of spring planting and preparation, a time to appreciate the warmth, light, and nourishment that God gives so freely this time of year.
I don't plant out my cherry tomato plant until Memorial Day, or a few days later, but once that's done it doubles in height every few days, or recently, just about every time I look at it! Once the cool temperatures are done with, the intense sun is like flipping a switch, and they're off to the races. I used to see tomato plants that had way outgrown their pots at the store. It was difficult to keep them watered, because what was in the pots was mostly roots, by that time.
Planting a garden is ann act of hope...someone said. Mine's doing well, tomatoes are flowering and showing a few starts. Finally got some fresh basil for my noodles.
All of our basil and our two cherry tomatoes are volunteers from last year. There is hope in that, too.
Hope and resilience. I've never had basil hang over into the next season. I let it all go to seed, but none of it ever takes. My tarragon comes back every year, but it's perennial. I'm growing a basil that never flowers... so it remains sweet well into the Autumn.
Guess what we're having for supper? :-)
Basil never flowers because the growing season isn't long enough?
I think ours gets too hot and old. I am thinking about planting batches, rather that harvesting off several plants over the summer.
No, it doesn't flower because it's hybrid that's been bred to not flower. It keeps putting out sweet leaves until it dies in Autumn.
Interesting. I will check that out. Thanks.
I got my rosemary plant through the winter indoors. The previous winter, it had died. Hard to know why.
I don't even attempt to keep basil going over the winter, or even for it to self seed. But direct sowing (which I did a few days ago) brings results pretty fast. A few weeks from now, I may be able to start harvesting basil leaves to go with tomatoes (bought, at this point) and fresh mozzarella.
Mmmm!
I just repotted my third rosemary plant. Maybe 4th, if you count the ones I tried to grow from seed. One was in a sunny spot but didn't get enough water, two others got too much water and rotted. I have potted this one in with lots of sand, and movable so I can find a place were it is happy. We have lots of trees.
I tend to wonder about our modern world in terms of the world I imagine our forebears inhabiting. A world where we lacked the technology to have artificial light during the dark hours of the day and of the year, for instance, would have made celestial events like the solstice so much more meaningful—or so I imagine.
The dark is a place of secrets and sinister motives. But at the same time it is necessary and restorative as a part of the day-night / life-death cycle.
What’s hard to imagine is that we have ever wanted anything more than to conquer darkness, to bathe the world in perpetual light.
And now I’m off to conquer more lawn and garden work…
umm.
campfires - cavemen-
candles - Egyptians, Assyrians
:)
I had in mind more the artificial light intensity that would allow people comfortably to read by—the kind of “artificial daylight” that was first possible on a large scale with electrification (or possibly some urban gas lighting). Learning to control fire or to make wicks for candles or oil lamps was an advancement, but on-demand wall-switch universal household lighting was a completely new category.
I read this a while ago, might read it again now because I don't remember much of it. It was interesting but got a little sour (insertion of politics) at the end.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_World_Lit_Only_by_Fire
I know. me being a stinker! :)
“Forebearers” not “forebears”. (Wanted to get that correction in before the punsters got here).
Although Merriam-Webster recognizes "forebearer,"which I had never even heard of before, it also recognizes "forebear," which I always understood as correct. Surprising that M-W doesn't address that or classify one of them is a variant. But Garner's Modern English Usage is very definite on the subject, classifying "forebearer" as an incorrect form of "forebear" and giving it the ol' asterisk of death to mark it as an "invariably inferior form." So "forebears" is in fact preferred by the experts.
Merriam-Webster does offer a little info on where the "bear" part comes from:
"This -bear is not to be confused with the -bear in the unrelated verb forbear, which comes from Old English beran, meaning 'to bear or carry.' [So neither one has anything to do with the ursines!] The -bear in the noun forebear is a combination of be-, from the verb be (or, more specifically, from been, an old dialect variant of be), and -ar, a form of the suffix -er, which we append to verbs to denote one that performs a specified action. In this case the 'action' is simply existing or being—in other words, -bear implies one who is a 'be-er.'"
I love etymology. Thanks.
Interesting. I had never heard of "forebear" in the sense of "ancestor", as a synonym for "forebearer".
Merriam-Webster makes clear that "forebear" is the older term. But the first published use of "forebearer" was in 1852, so it's not exactly disfavored. Personally, I think "forebearer" makes more sense as a noun and "forebear" as a verb. But maybe that's just me.
TBH, I’d just made a mental note that your explanation was right. I wasn’t really thinking of looking it up. I goof on enough details anyway.
When I consider what makes sense, the etymology is something I believe in taking into account.
I didn't catch that but now you've got me thinking about a detachment of bears bringing up the rear.
Don't go there. 🙂
I see what you did there! (And I'll stay out of the woods, all right?)
There is an old shape note song, which goes:
Bright star of the morning, rising.
Bright star of the morning, rising.
Bright star of the morning, rising.
I can feel daylight breaking,
breaking in my soul.
Thank you, Cynthia, for this lovely meditation on the solstice!
Meditation. That is exactly the right term.