It’s the eve of Summer Solstice 2022

A mid-day temperature of 90℉ at this time of year is unusual but not unheard of. The record high is 98℉ and record low is 41℉. So sayeth my copy of Minnesota Weatherguide. Normal high: 80℉. We’ve noted previously, several times, Minnesota would be a much more delightful place if our normals weren’t composed of such extremes.

Here comes a bit of a spoiler for those enamored of long, lazy, hot summer days. By month’s end our day’s length will be half a minute shorter than it is tomorrow and it’s all downhill from now until near Christmas. That’s also very much not in the present, so we’ll let it pass.

Father’s Day was enjoyable, if warmer than our preference. The Daughter, Son-In-Law, and Granddaughter persons were a treat to visit. Our visit with the Son person was also lots of fun. He and I now have matching camo t-shirts. When we get together, we won’t be able to see each other.

today’s loaf didn’t rise nearly this much

Photo by J. Harrington

In all honesty, using the limited amount of common sense I have left, I don’t think I’m even going to try for a solstice bonfire. It’s still supposed to be over 90℉ at 8 pm this evening and I expect tomorrow to be about the same. I’d have a stronger claim to common sense if I hadn’t baked a boule of sourdough bread at about 11 am today, thereby heating the house more than it already was. On top of that, I’m not pleased with the rise. I think the sourdough starter may have been a little on the weak (inactive) side and I’m still not sure of the effect of using about 20% Irish flour in the recipe. We’ll keep playing with it. Plus, the dough felt tacky, like it was overly hydrated, compared to our usual 50% bread and 50% all purpose flour mix. But, as I understand it(?), increased hydration yields a more open crumb(?), which isn’t the way this loaf turned out. Is it possible that one quick read through several really good bread baking books didn’t produce personal mastery of the bread baking process?

We hope wherever you are you’re relatively comfortable and safe and enjoying whatever season you’re in. Remember, in the Southern Hemisphere tomorrow is the beginning of Winter.

Solstice

Tess Taylor

How again today our patron star
whose ancient vista is the long view

turns its wide brightness now and here:
Below, we loll outdoors, sing & make fire.

We build no henge
but after our swim, linger

by the pond. Dapples flicker
pine trunks by the water.

Buzz & hum & wing & song combine.
Light builds a monument to its passing.

Frogs content themselves in bullish chirps,
hoopskirt blossoms

on thimbleberries fall, peeper toads
hop, lazy—

            Apex. The throaty world sings ripen.
Our grove slips past the sun’s long kiss.

We dress.
We head home in other starlight. 

Our earthly time is sweetening from this.

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