While it is not the “land of the midnight sun” here at 48 North latitude, at just shy of a month until the summer solstice, we do have plenty of daylight. Sunrise is 5:44 a.m., Sunset is 9:21 p.m. – add the hours of dawn and dusk and there is light in the sky from 5:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

From now until mid-August, I don’t see the dark of night unless I am up in the wee hours.

The view from my kitchen chair most mornings has been sunshine – beautiful and I enjoy it very much.

But, this morning, I was up shortly after 4:30 and it was still darkish when I sat in the kitchen chair. It was also cool enough for my long fleecy pants which Auggie prefers for our morning snuggle.

So, we enjoyed a bit of morning quiet time in the pre-dawn almost dark and watched the sky lighten and listened to the birds sing their morning songs.

It is Memorial Day here in the United States – a day to remember those that gave their lives in wars the U.S. participated in. When I was a teenager and part of my high school’s marching band, we marched in the Memorial Day parade through our little town of Perrysburg, Ohio and to the cemetery for a service honoring those that died in service. I can’t say that was my favorite band thing to do. It was often hot. Although after one particularly warm year in our regular wool uniforms, the next year we improvised cooler attire. But ultimately, that experience and the ongoing Viet Nam war with all of its angst, cemented a ritual of taking time for quiet reflection and remembrance on this day.

This week, on the cover of the King Arthur Flour catalog was a recipe for American Flag Pie.

Stars and stripes…

Red, white and blue…

An American Flag pie: in remembrance.

As always, I love seeing these two living together so companionably. Today will be spent with them in peace and quiet and reflection. And Pie :) !!

In grateful remembrance: never forgotten. (Photo from May 2010)