What is the Perfume Project?

This blog is a constantly evolving forum for thoughts on perfume, perfume-making, plants (especially orchids and flora of the Pacific Northwest) and life in general. It started out chronicling the adventures of Olympic Orchids Perfumes, established in July 2010, and has expanded in other directions. A big part of the blog is thinking about the ongoing process of learning and experimentation that leads to new perfumes, the exploration of perfumery materials, the theory and practice of perfume making, the challenges of marketing perfumes and other fragrance products, and random observations on philosophy and society. Spam comments will be marked as such and deleted; any comments that go beyond the boundaries of civil discourse will also be deleted. I am grateful to all of you, the readers, who contribute to the blog by commenting and making this a truly interactive perfume project.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

HAPPY SOLSTICE


Once again it’s that turning point in the northern year when the days start getting shorter but, paradoxically, the weather starts getting warmer. I still haven’t figured that one out. Actually, I don’t mind the days getting a little shorter because I find it somewhat disconcerting to still have it light at 10:30 PM, especially when the morning birds start singing about the time I go to sleep and my cat tries to wake me up at 4:30 AM.

Seattle engages in a summer solstice ritual called the Fremont solstice parade, sort of a delayed Mardi Gras celebration with colorful displays and costumes. The main attraction is the multitude of nude bicycle riders who paint their bodies and ride through the city in the parade. It’s all very friendly and informal, a great way to spend a sunny Saturday.

So happy solstice to all! Here’s hoping you can keep cool if it’s hot, keep safe if there are forest fires, tornadoes, or other summer-type disasters in your part of the world, and enjoy your winter solstice if you’re in the other half of the globe. 

[Photos adapted from the Seattle newspaper that still has free online access. If you're interested, you can see all of their solstice celebration photos here.] 
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2 comments:

  1. LaDomnaJune 23, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Happy solstice! In my part of the world the sun barely sets right now and it doen't get dark at all... I took a midnight dip in a nearby lake on Midsummers Eve and it was almost light as day. I LOVE it! The white nights are so magical!

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    1. Doc EllyJune 27, 2013 at 9:45 AM

      Nadja, extreme seasons are magical indeed! I remember being in St. Petersburg around the summer solstice, and it literally was light all night! I also find the opposite to be a magical time, when it's always dark and everyone lights candles and snuggles to keep warm. Where I live, although we do have fairly pronounced changes in day length, the biggest contrast is between the rainy season and the dry season. Not quite as exciting.

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