MIdnight Sunshine

Isn't it odd how some things in life just never grow old?

Those things that, no matter how often they are experienced,

still bring excitement and wonder to our souls?

Things such as:

 a baby's laughter,

the freshness and silence of winter's first snowfall,

the lonely, haunting call of geese heading south,

the fragrance of freshly mowed grass,

and summer solstice in Fairbanks.

Yes, today is the longest day of the year

and it means there will be no darkness at all.

Since the day is not over yet, I'm using some pictures from

the past few years here.

Tonight, at 10pm right now, the sky is as bright as noon.

 This picture was taken at midnight.  

Mr. Sun is still up and shining bright.

The actual sunset is scheduled for 12:48 AM tonight...

The sunrise is officially 2:58 AM.

The two hours in between fill the sky with rosy glows 

as the colors of the sun's setting and  rising blend into one.

                                

Honestly,  for weeks the night colors have been just like this

and they will remain so for many more weeks to come.

But, just the knowing that this is the official longest day

makes me want to stay up and gaze at the skies.

But, alas, work begins early tomorrow morning and I must sleep

to make it through the demands of the day.  

So, I will go to sleep under blue skies

and wake under the same.  

I'll miss the short spell of pink as the sun dips briefly below the horizon,

but my heart will still be glad.

I've just had another solstice in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

And it doesn't get old.

Good night.  Or is it morning?