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I'll be perfectly honest the summer solstice has never caught my interest. That is until 2008. After living on the beaches and around the bays in Florida for fifteen years, I took the year-round warm weather and sunny skies for granted. That all changed the first month of this year when I moved to a secluded mountain top in North Carolina. I went from walking on the beach, wearing a bathing suit, in late December to a cold, gray, sky that blanketed the ground with white stuff known as snow. The Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful in late spring time but the barren trees and chilly winds can be depressing during the winter. Last week was the first time in months that I stepped outside and immediately felt the sunny sky warm my bones and fog my sunglasses. Oh what a glorious feeling! Finally I can appreciate the sunniest day referred to as the summer solstice.

Now that I live in an area that does have four seasons, I better understand the appreciation of the occasion. For the first time ever I planted a vegetable garden in May after the last frost that is. Because of the gently, increasing warm weather here the seedlings have been able to survive in spite of my novice agricultural skills. I am sure that on June 21st my precious little carrots, squash, potatoes, strawberries, onions and tomatoes can withstand the sun on the longest day of this year. In sunny Florida all I could get to grow were hibiscus and palm trees.

I realize there are religious and community-oriented celebrations which correlate to the solstice. Unlike most locals however, I'll be out weeding, hiking and birding to celebrate the first day of summer. You will hear no complaining of the high sun temperatures from me. I used to jump in the crowded Florida pools or oceans should my bronzed skin be warm to the touch. Now I sit on my patio in solitude where the cool breeze can cool me down as I overlook the lush green mountain tops and hear the blue birds sing. Sure it is a different lifestyle but one in which is less hectic, closer to nature and just as beautiful as the Florida sunsets.

I learned an important lesson this year about the sun. Seasons bring us challenges and joy but only if we take the time to understand what each has to offer. By September, I will be looking forward to the fall equinox, knowing that the shorter days will impact the brilliancy of red and yellow hues covering the Blue Ridge Mountains. I figure the winters here will always be brutal for me. But that is when I'll take the time indoors to accomplish the goals I failed to do while I was out playing during the summer solstice.

Learn more about this author, Yvonne Moore.
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