The longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere is right around the corner (Sunday the 21st, this year).

The days have been hot lately, too. The entire west coast is in a drought – not just California, which you’ve probably heard about in the news, but up here in Washington, too. The cherries are early this year. Everything’s early. I can’t remember the last time it really rained. Just endless sunshine and 70-80 degree days.

It might sound nice to some, but it can make a Seattleite grumpy. I’m yearning for cloudy days and and some actual, proper rain. Still, I’m doing my best to savor the good parts. Mary Jane is in town, so she and I and Cirilia headed out to the Ballard Locks this week with some treats to do a little outdoor knitting. We hovered in the shade, but it was certainly beautiful. We enjoyed watching the bird life – so many blue herons! – and eating the homemade cookies Cirilia had brought along.

I’ve been enjoying the lingering light as the days have grown longer, too. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that when I get to Tromsø, the days will still be quite long and there will be no real darkness my first few weeks there. The days will rapidly grow shorter, though, so I’m enjoying the long daylight as long as I can, whether I’m here in Seattle or in Tromsø.

I hope whatever your summer is like so far, you’re enjoying it!