It's Midsummer

[conuly]

Midsummer always takes me by surprise. The sun seems to set so early! I keep thinking that it set later when I was a child, during the summers.

And well, yes, that's because it did. Most of my memories of childhood summers take place in Belgium. The sun didn't set in Wavre today until 10pm. It set here at 8:30.

Logically, I know that I spent many more summers in NYC than in Belgium (and I also spent a few in Austin, with my other grandmother), but... somehow, in my memories, except for the 4th and the occasional trip to the beach, it's always Belgium. And in Belgium, the sun stays up forever in the summer. (It sets correspondingly earlier in the winter, but we never were there in the winter.)

Comments

[nicki]

I have exactly the same difficulty with summer, also Belgium (Mons for me) though I also have the corresponding winter memories. :P

[conuly]

I always say there are more Belgian-Americans running around than most people realize.

[nicki]

In my case I was a US military NATO kid, but my grandmother is Norman, if that's close enough. :P

[alchemia]

lol... it was certain my 'ceiling fan' was a lobster.

[conuly]

I can see that.

[alatefeline]

Makes sense.

The midsummer sun where I currently live defies my childhood-set expectations as well, but by being up *longer*...I just wish it could keep doing that.

[conuly]

Yes, too bad the summer sun is such a double-edged sword.

[alatefeline]

Indeed. I only notice the extended length of the days starting to be an issue for sleep the very week of high solstice, whereas I spend about six months feeling that days are too dark and too short...but for some folks, that's flipped. Or migraines, sunburn, skin cancer...

[sovay]

And well, yes, that's because it did. Most of my memories of childhood summers take place in Belgium. The sun didn't set in Wavre today until 10pm. It set here at 8:30.

I think it is great that that turned out to be a factor of latitude, not nostalgia.

[conuly]

Bit of both, of course :)

[zesty_pinto]

This explains a lot; over here a few points North of you, we can see the sun fall as late as 9:30 or so. Was never sure if it was me until you said that though, as I remember thinking about how late the sun set back when I lived in NJ, too.

[smile_n_cuddle]

That's so interesting :) Did you like the later/longer Belgium days?

I love long days and I dislike shorter days of winter.

[conuly]

I love winter lots, but it gives me depression.