Laurels and party hardy . . .

Saturday. Sofa. Coffee.

Summer is here in Alabama, right on time.  Ninety degree days arrived as the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, came upon us.  In Europe, and other parts of the northern hemisphere, this natural phenomena that occurs as a result of the relationship of the earth's axis to the sun has been a wonderful excuse, for centuries, to have a big party, a throw down with ancient music and dancing, washing the face with the morning dew after a night of quaffing ale, and wearing fern blossom laurel crowns. Perhaps the washing of the face with morning dew was a natural result of passing out in the park after a night of quaffing ale, but that has not been documented scientifically, just anecdotally.  During "Midsummer", as with most holidays, the celebrations have been modernized, but paganism is not bound by time.  Thankfully. Cause when it seems there are few reasons to party, there is always the rising of the sun.

Caesar is known for sporting a leafy laurel crown. (don't think this is really a photograph of Caesar, but he had the look)  Not just during Midsummer parties.  Sort of like the ruby red or royal blue necktie of recent American presidents and potential successors.   I wonder if this is where the old adage "resting on your laurels" derives.  Perhaps the term used for a lame duck Caesar.  Laurels plucked during the Ides of March when the end of the term was near.  But I digress.

I shared a late lunch with a good friend this week.  We are dramatically different in our political views, which is good fodder for long discussions. We agree on what the world's problems are, but we have respectful disagreements about how to address them.   But then we talk about our children, or vacations, or yard work, or movies.  Turns out we really aren't so different after all.

 Most of the time our discussions end with a good-natured parting, " . . .enjoyed the talk, but we solved nothing . . ., see you tomorrow."  And we each walk out into the same world with the same problems.  But I feel better.

At this point it occurs to me that some of you may be put off by me being thankful that paganism is not bound by time.  I am a Christian after all, and paganism includes a variety of ancient religious practices, none of which arose from Christianity.  Of course, Christianity co-opted most of the pagan's really good festivals, even "Midsummer",   But, I am Christian, and do not endorse the practices of paganism that Jesus would not care for.  If my brothers and sisters are offended, I am sorry about that.

And, to be fair, I should apologize to the practicioners of pagan religions, because it may seem to you that I have ignorantly trivialized serious religious practices. Sorry about that.

But, sometimes you just have to find a reason to party. To celebrate something. To bring life back down to its basics. Its basic goodness.

Jesus said that it rains on the just and the unjust.  Bob Marley said "Some people feel the rain, others just get wet."

It rains on us all.

But, the sun also rises.(Apologies to King Solomon and Papa).

And shines on us all.

Since we're all here, I guess we're all invited.

Let's party.

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