solstice

Winter Solstice, Lake George, NY

~ Cave_Guy ~ 7 Comments

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Winter Solstice

I took a trip up to my favorite lake to take some shots  – simple symmetry, summer and winter in the same place. The longest day vs the shortest day. It felt correct.

The weather was not perfect – 15 degrees F (that’s really friggin’ cold for Celsius people!) And very, very windy. The cold was ok – it was the wind that messed up any lake reflections — add to that the absence of clouds to not help with color.

It got me to thinking about the rift between what we want a day to be and what a day really is. It got me thinking about what a life should be and what it is being. A mode of acceptance. Acceptance means happiness – that sounds way too simple. As an idea it is simple, as a practice, it is not.

I’m basically alone (save for a couple random joggers and dog walkers, hearty bunch in this weather), I’m at this beautiful place on the planet – no one is telling me what to do or where to go – no one is checking my ID at the gate – I’m free. Life is good. To get up and have capturing a scene at sunrise as your mission for the day – that’s a good day.

Beyond that I’m blessed – As I drove home – that fresh new bright solstice sun was bright in my face – lighting up my way ahead – exposing and igniting my future. I’m here and now – I’m feeling the soul of humanity – this was a big day for ancient peoples. This was their concert and their technicolor laser light show. The rhythm and pace of space and time. This was hope.

A big deal.

It’s still big deal.

At least for me, two joggers, three dog walkers, and a very tough pair of mallard ducks – (ducks are tough up here swimming in this weather).

Cheers from the cave!

summer

P.S: Summer Solstice from the same spot

Solstice

~ Cave_Guy ~ 8 Comments

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Summer Solstice

As I lay down the night before – I say to myself  “I’m not getting up at 4am to chase the sunrise, I kinda want to sleep”

I woke at 4am – and I knew that I would get after it – it’s the solstice – I love the solstice

Mankind has loved this day since they figured out what it was – the steady reliable cycle of the sun bringing stability to an unstable world— countless generations paying homage to the spinning of the earth – countless people making what they will of it.

Gods are formed around the mystery of the passage of time. The journey of our birth to our death that spins and moves in a universe of wonder.

I love the solstice. It connects me to bigger things.

I visited my grandmother in England many, many moons ago. I wanted to go to Stonehenge and we went on the solstice – I did not know what that meant – I did not know it was a “thing”.

Since then its stayed with – watching me – checking in on me as I stumble through life.

I remember my grandmother as I drive to chase the light – it’s a big thing to understand that the world will spin – things will flow – and we will go – we can join in the cosmic dance or we can wait it out —- either way the solstice will cycle on and on.

Notes: Lake George NY is close enough to be local for me – There was a woman walking her dog on the beach and nothing else going on in town at sunrise. I didn’t have to edit this photo except for a splash of highlight on the buoy – a quick shake of light – nothing else.  If you wonder how I am — I say — mostly I am ok – I’m not the same- I try to make the most of the days instead of the least of the days —- that is a better way to live.