Mark Bialczak

Home | Pages | Archives

A slice of near-Solstice sun for Dogamous Pyle

June 20, 2015 7:41 am

One day from the Summer Solstice in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, and Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle knows exactly where to go on her 7 a.m. get-out into the backyard of the Little Bitty.

Doobie

Doobie

Doobie

Doobie

Doo

Doo

Let there be light, indeed.

Lots of light.

According to the charts in The Post-Standard, our sun rose at 5:25 a.m. today, and will again on the Solstice Sunday, June 21. On Monday and Tuesday, the sun will actually hang around an extra minute, not setting until 8:48 p.m.

That’s 15 hours, 23 minutes of daylight. Yes, I did use my fingers to count here at home.

Wednesday we start swinging the other way and lose a minute, I hate to say, with the sun turning stubborn and not coming up until 5:26 a.m. Ellie B and I will worry about that then.

Do you note the Solstice where you live, and if so, how? Do you get up earlier when the sun’s out longer and hibernate like a bear when it’s not? How does the sun affect your personality?

Posted by markbialczak

Categories: iPhone Photography, Life

Tags: , , , , , ,

91 Responses to “A slice of near-Solstice sun for Dogamous Pyle”

  1. The sun here is too hot, so I tend to stay inside when it’s out. Though I admit, when I lived in NY, it did set a little too early for my taste. But it was more enjoyable to be outside there because there was no humidity and it wasn’t blinding.

    Like

    By rachelcarrera on June 26, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    1. You have tough stuff to contend with down there, Rachel. 😦

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 26, 2015 at 3:28 pm

  2. Completely slipped my mind! I’d thought about it last week and then with all the Father’s Day ruckus, hadn’t thought that we just had the longest day. Light is happiness, no? But then dark can be good, too.

    Like

    By kerbey on June 22, 2015 at 11:19 pm

    1. I love the light of this time of year, Kerbey. Winter I have to fight harder for it.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 23, 2015 at 8:12 am

  3. I like having the long days, although we did not have a particularly sunny solstice. In the dark of the winter solstice all I want to do is stay in bed under the blankets. I hate waking up in the dark and then I feel like it’s bedtime at 5 PM.

    Like

    By merrildsmith on June 22, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    1. Yes, I so much more like this time of year better than the dark time, Merril.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 22, 2015 at 10:37 pm

  4. The days are getting shorter. Break out the snow shovel.

    Like

    By snoozing on the sofa on June 22, 2015 at 8:33 am

    1. We laugh today, Scott. In a few months, not so much. Sigh.

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 22, 2015 at 10:11 am

  5. The sun, you say? Pray tell, what is this mysterious orb of which you speak? Does it only come out during the daytime, when us night people are hunkered in our beds? Why doesn’t it come out an introduce itself to me? Excuse me, I have to take my Vitamin D supplement now…

    Liked by 1 person

    By evilsquirrel13 on June 21, 2015 at 9:43 am

    1. Doesn’t Mecca put up special sun-replenishing lighting for you third-shifters, Bill? Bastards!!

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 10:04 am

      1. I’m not sure what nutrients are in fluorescent light rays, but they certainly aren’t good for tanning.

        Like

        By evilsquirrel13 on June 21, 2015 at 11:53 am

  6. You’d better buh–leeve the sun affects me brother Mark. Today it’s out bright and early, as if it too wants to celebrate this longest day of the year. We’ve had bad weather and alerts for several days, but today we have sunshine and smiles. Maybe I can make even more headway in boxing up the things I want to move down the hall with me. And maybe I’ll just use my chair to destroy a few things I need out of the way, that are too big for me to move on my own. Give Ellie B. an extra treat in honor of this longest day of the year, and tell her it was my idea — pleeze?

    Like

    By Kentucky Angel on June 21, 2015 at 7:59 am

    1. Don’t destroy what you need, sis Angie! And I’ll put in good words for you with Ellie B, for sure. And several pats on the head and belly. ❤

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 9:59 am

  7. I need the sun…! Love the pup!

    Like

    By Nancy on June 21, 2015 at 6:46 am

    1. Your photos illustrate your adventurous chases of the golden orb with your sweet, sweet man, Nancy. 🙂 Yes, Ellie B would like you, too, I am quite sure. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 9:58 am

      1. Oh she would! I Luvs my puppies!

        Like

        By Nancy on June 21, 2015 at 11:54 am

      2. Yes we do, Nancy. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 3:10 pm

  8. Listening to the wind whistling down my lum* as I prepared for the morning’s walk on this midsummer’s morn, I decided on donning a thick fleece before reaching for the dog leads. I should have added a hat and gloves! Not much evidence of sun or summer behind the clouds. I noted with interest Paul’s comment that the earth is closest to the sun in February, which must explain some unseasonably warm days we’ve had during that month, even in the cold north.

    Hope you find plenty of midsummer sun today.

    Oh, and *lum is an old Scottish word for chimney.

    Roy

    Like

    By radicalrambler on June 21, 2015 at 4:09 am

    1. Well, Roy, I think our actions to Earth over centuries have something to do with mixed-up weather patterns now as well as nature’s course these days.

      Sigh.

      To report back: yesterday’s morning sun gave way to clouds here as well, and our baseball game in the early eve forced us to sit through several periods of light drizzle. Which we did, in 70º F. Today, the Summer Solstice, my daughter, George’s Three and Two and I have nine holes of later afternoon golf planned for Father’s Day after a movie and Polish food at the local festival. But, gray with rain forecast again. Yet, no wind whistling down my lum. Happy Father’s Day, my Liverpudlian friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 9:55 am

      1. yes, we have messed up our weather patterns – (can we have our gulf stream back, please) my dad is being taken for a picnic in the park by my sister – I shall be visiting hi next month for his birthday – and he has requested another picnic in the park. Happy Father’s Day to you – sounds like a packed day – golf, a movie and a food festival. have a great day

        Like

        By radicalrambler on June 21, 2015 at 10:06 am

      2. Thanks, Roy. We loved the movie and the food fest, but I called off the golf because of rain and wet, saying I prefered to save it for a sunny Sunday instead. 🙂

        I’m glad to hear your dad gets your sis today and you next month on his birthday. Very well done. 🙂 Happy Father’s Day to you, my friend.

        Like

        By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 3:20 pm

  9. Since it is so damn hot nowadays,sun leads me to want to be closed up in my house all day without the need to get out.But…*sighs*
    You get what I am saying,don’t you?*expectant raise of eyebrows*
    Or maybe I am not making any sense.-.-

    Like

    By wanderingviolet on June 20, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    1. WV, I get what you are saying. If you’re too damn hot, stay in the cool house. 🙂 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:53 pm

      1. Hahahahah I wish!But I have to go out even if I don’t want to someday.Something or the other just pops up.:/

        Like

        By wanderingviolet on June 21, 2015 at 6:42 am

  10. I love the sun, especially the first rays in the morning and ruby rays of the descending sun as it drops below the Sequoias. Here is thing that puzzles me….How is it my saltwater fish know when it is 5:00pm on the dot (despite Daylight Savings, Solstices and all that other stuff) and swim at the top of the tank waiting for their food? How does my Great Dane get off his futon and exactly 6:55 every night – Winter or Summer, to come get us going with his dinner? Animals are amazing!!!!

    Like

    By SD Gates on June 20, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    1. Animals have instincts we can’t imagine, S.D. That’s pretty cool. The fish! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      1. Especially our blue Tang. He is the leader of the pack, he gets all the other fish lined up for dinner. He is kind of bossy, but punctual.

        Like

        By SD Gates on June 21, 2015 at 12:45 am

      2. I love the imagery of the blue Tang as ringleader, S.D. Thank you for this. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 12:52 am

      3. Anytime my friend, anytime!!!!

        Like

        By SD Gates on June 21, 2015 at 12:54 am

  11. I crave sunlight–dumb, for a lupus lady–and am always aware of winter and summer solstice times. I see Ellie B. is, too!

    Like

    By Outlier Babe on June 20, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    1. Careful, lupus lady. I think you’re always aware of everything, Babe, so I’m a bit less worried than I should or could be.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      1. Why, thank you! But the “O.” in “O.B.” also stands for “Oblivious”, Mark : )

        I am lucky. I look white as white can be, but am not. I can handle quite a bit of sun, except during flares (of lupus, not the sun 🙂 ), thank goodness.

        Like

        By Outlier Babe on June 20, 2015 at 11:55 pm

      2. I can tell from my careful reading that O. does not stand for Oblivious. In fact, back, I am more of the opinion that it stands for Obstinate and Organized and OK, I’ll give you some Outlier. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 12:43 am

      3. You are awfully dang nice to me, Mark.
        And your readers see,
        It’s not just to me.
        ❤

        Like

        By Outlier Babe on June 21, 2015 at 12:47 am

      4. I speak the truth, Babe. Don’t reflect and duck the praise, please and thank you.

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 21, 2015 at 12:53 am

  12. I love the sun. Had a very hard time living in Portland, OR and Seattle during years when for nine months every year we had sun about one day a month, then slightly more for a while, then six weeks of sunny summer before cloudy mists took over again… (It was an end-of-drought time that included Mt. St. Helen blowing up and El Nino, both creating heavy rain patterns…)
    I loved living in the Bay area, just outside the fog zone, and enjoying sun most of the time about 9 months a year — and that there was even a lot of sun during the rainy season. I’ve also always been a night owl (my mother corroborates, from day 1 🙂 ) so I LOVE the long summer days and daylight savings time. I can stay up late and sleep late and still enjoy plenty of hours of sunshine.

    Like

    By yogaleigh on June 20, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    1. You have lived in interesting places, night owl Leigh. I still recall your France stories and your impeccable accent. 🙂 The Bay area and a lot of sunshine interests me. Usually I equate that to a lot of fog.

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      1. Even the city, if you know the fog pattern, has areas, like Bernal Heights, where the sun shines a lot. There’s actually a regular pattern to the fog so people who’ve lived there long enough know where to be, in and out of the city, if they want to be in more sun–or some actually want the fog. All of it occasionally gets socked in, but most of the Peninsula, the East Bay and big chunks of Marin are all pretty sunny. And not as hot as southern CA. Perfect for me.

        Like

        By yogaleigh on June 20, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      2. Sounds really great, Leigh. When MDW Karen and I visited the Bay area, I really liked it.

        Like

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:26 pm

  13. Your sun rises a lil earlier and sets a lil later than ours, which makes total sense 🙂
    I love sunlight in the morning. In the evening, it confuses me a lil, late to make dinner, since the sky is bright, and then strangely, feels earlier to bed, because it’s sometimes still twilight when we retreat for the day…
    I totally hibernate in summer. LOL worse than winter. I can’t take the heat, but I don’t mind the cold. Fortunately, we do as a family get out more in the summer 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By joey on June 20, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    1. You are such an interesting study, Joey, in all seasons. 🙂 I’m up wide-eyed too many hours now and I’m the sleepy bear in winter, such a stereotype. Except for last night, when after MDW Karen and I knocked off a bottle of 19 Crimes red blend together with our pizza and antipasta dinner I suddenly fell asleep on my recliner from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      1. Is there anything better than an accidental nap after a full belly and good wine? 🙂 Sounds wonderful!

        Like

        By joey on June 20, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      2. I really felt great when I woke up. It was awesome! You are very tuned in, Joey. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:45 pm

  14. My life would be very incomplete without the sun!!! My sunset beach walks are my solitary time to re-group and I cherish that hour alone just me, the setting sun, the sand and the surf. The “Gatorette”

    Liked by 1 person

    By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on June 20, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    1. I like the way you operate, Gatorette. I really, really do.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      1. I say to YOU Terp Happy Dad’s Day tomorrow…

        Like

        By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on June 20, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      2. I appreciate that, Gatorette. You, too, with your whole big gang, generations up and down. What an American portrait you have going on, my friend.

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      3. All part of that Great “American Novel” I am writing!

        Like

        By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on June 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      4. Write me in! Your Terp friend!! I’d make a great make-believe character, Gatorette. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:36 pm

      5. NO ONE would believe I actually correspond with you Terp???!!!

        Like

        By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on June 20, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      6. That’s why it’s called fiction, Gatorette!! They’re not SUPPOSED to believe it’s true. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      7. Of course opposite of NON-Fiction! HA!

        Like

        By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on June 20, 2015 at 4:40 pm

  15. DP knows where to go

    Like

    By Martha Keim-St. Louis on June 20, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    1. She is drawn to the light, Martha! 🙂

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 4:05 pm

  16. I don’t note it but I have to tell you that where I live, it’s sunny until midnight in the summer. We have to darken our rooms or go into a darker room in the evening so our bodies get the message that’s it’s night time and we can get sleepy.

    Like

    By Gibber on June 20, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    1. That’s a lot of daylight, Gibberina! Holy cow.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      1. I know it’s crazy.

        Like

        By Gibber on June 20, 2015 at 4:31 pm

  17. Completely forgot, thanks for the reminder. Have a great day.

    Like

    By laflor5233 on June 20, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    1. Any time, Dora. You enyoy the weekend with your family!

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 3:35 pm

  18. When the sun shines bright, I’m a happy camper. When it’s not, I sleep. 😀 😀 😀

    Like

    By Let's CUT the Crap! on June 20, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    1. Equilibrium, Tess. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 3:34 pm

      1. Ha ha ha. 😮

        Like

        By Let's CUT the Crap! on June 21, 2015 at 10:04 am

  19. Here I am for the week’s worth of catch up, Mark!
    I am glad to have longer days and your photos are sure fun to see. Love Ellie B’s concentration while checking everything out.
    Shadows and light give us balance in our days. We should be grateful our days aren’t like up in Alaska. I could not take it on those bleak days of no sun. I would possibly go into a depression. Not kidding. I need my Sun! 🙂

    Like

    By reocochran on June 20, 2015 at 11:20 am

    1. MDW Karen lived in Alaska for two years, Robin, and she did not like the imbalance of sun at all. 😦

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:32 am

  20. June 20, Los Angeles: Sunrise: 5:42 AM/Sunset: 8:07 PM. I envy you those extra minutes of daylight! I remember from childhood in England being at the beach at 9:00pm in daylight!

    Like

    By RMW on June 20, 2015 at 11:08 am

    1. Yes, the more north, the more daylight now, Ros. Conversely, you get more come winter time. Como se, como sa.

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:28 am

  21. I don’t pay attention to the summer/winter solstice. Maybe I should. 🙂

    Like

    By Priceless Joy on June 20, 2015 at 10:15 am

    1. Maybe you should, PJ. The spirits are dancing this weekend, in my soul. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 10:24 am

  22. I kind of like waking up in the dark but I always found something exciting about it staying light into night time, especially when I was a kid and played outside. My son, creature of the darkness that he is, already dislikes it.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Marissa Bergen on June 20, 2015 at 9:33 am

    1. Wow. Already a night person. When I was a teen, I stayed up until at least 2 a.m. every day listening to my stereo, and was on cruise control until noon.

      Easier at home, believe it or not, Marissa. My first two years away at college, my friends would throw pebbles at my second-floor dorm window to wake me up to go to breakfast and our morning classes.

      Like

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 9:43 am

      1. Oh yeah, I’ll bet. It’s definitely hard to adjust to a college schedule when you are used to sleeping to all hours as a teen. Youth is wasted on the young.

        Like

        By Marissa Bergen on June 20, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      2. You know it, my friend. 😦

        Like

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 11:48 pm

  23. That pup is a sun-seeker…so cute. I always look forward to the solstice. So happy for every extra minute of daylight…love the light, but not the heat ! ☺

    Like

    By vanbytheriver on June 20, 2015 at 9:11 am

    1. It’s supposed to top out in the 70s (F) today, perfect for our afternoon 4-year-old birthday party and evening tailgate party/baseball game, Van! Tomorrow, 80s, though … I would think it’s warmer further south where you are.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 9:38 am

      1. We’re in for rain Sunday, I moved our Dad’s day BBQ up to today. Have fun and Happy Father’s Day to you, Mark. Enjoy ☺

        Like

        By vanbytheriver on June 20, 2015 at 10:03 am

      2. Happy Father’s Day to your hubby and family as well, my friend. 🙂 Enjoy your moved-up BBQ.

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 10:09 am

  24. yes, i love the sun and the longer days. sometimes it stays light until almost 10 here at this time of year and i enjoy every minute of it. )

    Liked by 1 person

    By ksbeth on June 20, 2015 at 8:21 am

    1. Almost 10! That’s perfect being in the western part of the time zone, Beth. I love it for you. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 8:25 am

  25. Speaking of LIGHT, cuz, you are IT today!! I have nominated you for a challenge. Are you up to it? I think you are. So, here is the link https://herladypinkrose.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/fly-fly-fly/ and have FUN just like I am!!! ENJOY!!!! Love and (((HUGS))) and Sunshine, your cuz from the west, AmyRose ❤

    Like

    By AmyRose on June 20, 2015 at 8:13 am

    1. Well, Amy Rose, I have to say yes to you, without even reading what the challenge is. Now I may be in deep. 🙂 Thank you, dear cuz from the west. ❤ Maybe.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 8:22 am

      1. YAY!!! Go see what it is all about!! You will have a blast, Mark. I am. I am pulling things out of me I didn’t know were there!!! GRIN!!! I am like a KID with this challenge, and I normally do not do challenges. LOL I am just so excited you said yes!!!! (((HUGS))) Amy ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        By AmyRose on June 20, 2015 at 8:23 am

  26. I do like the long sunny days. It has always struck me as odd that the longest day of the year is not in the hottest part of our year – August. Actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in February – I suppose that’s why summer in the southern hemisphere is hotter than in the northern. This is my favorite time of year with long days, lots of sun but not too much heat. This morning it is about 65 degrees,calm winds and bright sunshine – perfect.

    Great photos Mark – that is the exact feeling – Doobie, doobie, do.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Paul on June 20, 2015 at 8:07 am

    1. I had to break out the line from Francis Albert Sinatra, Paul, because the feeling was in my soul! Exactly what you said.

      Promo alert: Come back tomorrow, Father’s Day Sunday, to read Paul’s guest post The Chief, a sweet reflection on his life with his dad.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 8:20 am

  27. Nice post Mark 😉
    I love the time, where we see the sun in longer time. Yes, I get often more early up in the morning, when we have more light.

    Like

    By irenedesign2011 on June 20, 2015 at 7:46 am

    1. Hi, Irene! Happy Summer Solstice in Spain, my good friend. Enjoy the long hours of sun in your beautiful slice of the world this special weekend. Give Odin a pat on the head for Ellie B and I!

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 8:13 am

      1. Thank you Mark, give Ellie B a hug from us.
        I do enjoy very much, I hope you do the same, where you are 🙂

        Like

        By irenedesign2011 on June 20, 2015 at 8:49 am

      2. Ellie B says thank you. She doesn’t want to come in from the back porch. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 9:35 am

      3. He he he 😀

        Like

        By irenedesign2011 on June 20, 2015 at 1:57 pm

  28. Nice slices, Mark!

    Like

    By Ann Koplow on June 20, 2015 at 7:44 am

    1. Ellie B can be such a cut-up, can’t she, Ann?

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on June 20, 2015 at 8:12 am

      1. I remember, Mark.

        Like

        By Ann Koplow on June 20, 2015 at 8:15 am

Leave a Reply

Mobile Site | Full Site

Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.