The First Full Moon of Summer

 

 

Astronomical summer begins with the June solstice on June 20.   Thanks to our tilted planet,  the sun appears to reach the Tropic of Cancer, its most northern latitude on Earth.  

These are the longest days--over 15 hours of daylight. In Chicago, sunrises at 5:15 am, sunsets at 8:29 pm.

And tonight is a full moon--the first full moon of summer. It's called the strawberry moon,  from native American tribes that named it for  the ripe strawberries in June.

It is also called the honey moon--from honey people use to make mead, which was often served at  June weddings.

Whatever you call it,  the moon tonight  will be beautiful.  Moonrise is at 8:51 pm in Chicago. Look for it in the southeast. 

As the poet Issa wrote--

"It's like nothing they compare it to--the summer moon"

A Sunday in June

 

 

Now comes June and  perfect summer days. Rain overnight, and today, blue sky, and fair-weather clouds.

Meteorological  summer began June 1.  These are the longest days, now.  These days have been filled with the sounds of cicadas.

There is the regular droning sound in the trees. It washes over you, like rain. It sounds almost metallic, like distant power tools.

There is a second chorus--rising and falling,  a rattling like maracas.

There is the sudden chirping from a single cicada, surprised on a leaf, or when you pick it up from the sidewalk so it doesn't get stepped on. The sidewalks are covered with crushed cicadas.  

These sounds of nature may be accompanied by the sounds of power mowers, leaf blowers, and weed trimmers.

There are the little kids on their scooters, and the big kids shouting and laughing, riding bicycles, playing basketball in the alley. 

And the tinkling music of an  ice-cream trucks beckoning with treats.

Sunday, Sunday here on these tree-lined streets, the sounds of gunfire and bombs are so far away..

 

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