Solstice

Skywatch

It's here ... the longest day of the year.

Today, June 20th, marks the longest day of the year
in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solstice Sigh

The sun today won’t take a hint,

It lingers long, with golden glint.

But I, moon-minded, seek the night,

With silver beams and softer light.

 

Let others praise this sunlit spree—

I’ll wait for dusk to comfort me.

For when the daylight starts to wane,

The moon and stars shall rise again.

Let's celebrate the moon. 😘 

Lunar Calendar Wheel Poster
created by Heart of the Earth Arts
Check out the artist on Instagram

Zoomed in on the present moment on the poster.
Northern Hemisphere Summer Solstice
June 20, 2025

I saw this poster advertised in the Old Farmer's Almanac and fell in love with it immediately. It's been up on my wall since early this year. It's a delightful way to see the lunar phases all year long. I double checked a few days with TimeAndDate.com and it's right on.

Critters and Stamps

It's especially fun when 2 hobbies align ... interest in wildlife and stamp collecting.  How do you like these First Day Covers from the 1981 American Wildlife series of US Postage stamps? Which one is your favorite? ...

Puma
[Click on image for better view.]

Bison

Brown Bear

Elk

Polar Bear

In 1981 first class postage in the United States was 18 cents from March to November. Each stamp above is 18 cents, and the postal cancel mark was added at Boise, Idaho.

One of my favorite "critter" stamps is the Forever issued in 2011 for Oweny, the Postal Service Dog. 

Read the history of Owney,
the Postal Dog and
Mascot of the Railway Mail Service

Before we leave the Critter department, a couple of recent shots of my hummers ...

Afternoon snack time.

Hummingbirds belong to the family Trochilidae,
which contains around 366 different species.
My hummers are known as Anna's.

On the Water

On an early, sunny morning, the Royal Caribbean
Anthem of the Seas arrives in Seattle.

After the ship docks, I put the binoculars on the ship.
Yes, the big screen is correct.  😊

From the Archives ...

I am so disappointed in my Government and the way they have been treating my favorite neighboring country:  Canada. To my many fellow bloggers in Canada ... one thing I know for sure ... Most Americans love Canada as I do. 

September 13, 2009, I visited Peace Arch Park 
on the US/Canada border north of Seattle.
The arch is an impressive sight with these words:
Children of a Common Mother

Closing thought from Farmer Frank found in the Old Farmer's Almanac ...

“I talk to the sun when I need sun. I talk to the clouds when I need clouds, and the rain, and the moon and the stars, I talk to all of Mother Nature’s creations. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t, but at least they know my intentions."  

Farmer Frank

Thanks for stopping by John's Island and a happy Summer to you. (Or Winter, if you're down South 😊)

Linking up with Eileen's Saturday's Critters. Check it out! 

Coastal Adventure - Part 1

Introduction

Those of you who follow John's Island may have noticed the frequency of posts has slowed and you may have noticed me missing from comments on your blog. I've just completed traveling the West Coast and social media has been on the back burner. Considering how to put a post together to cover my travels resulted in something way too long. It would require scrolling for hours 💫 and I don't wish to put anyone through that. I've decided a series of posts is the best way forward, and this post is Part 1 of my Coastal Adventure.

The entire trip consisted of Seattle to Vancouver to San Francisco to San Diego to Los Angeles and back to Seattle.

Seattle to Vancouver BC by rail

Aboard AMTRAK Cascades

Where the journey started ... Seattle's King Street Station
[Click on images for a larger view.]

This classic, vintage station has been completely
remodeled in recent years.

Train #516 departed King St Station at 8:30 AM on Saturday, September 28, and was scheduled to arrive Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, BC, at 12:30 PM.

Pics along the way ...

As the train started to roll northbound, I snapped this picture
from my seat. It was 8:30AM, right on schedule.

Looking west from bridge over canal between
Puget Sound and Lake Union, a few miles
north of downtown Seattle.
(Close to famous Ballard Locks.)

Occasional curves allowed snaps of the forward
part of the train.

Logging is a big part of Pacific Northwest history.
However, not many of these lumber facilities are
still in operation. I enjoy seeing this kind of 
industrial activity along the way.

I like this kind of wide open countryside.
I'm guessing that's a farmer's home along the tree line.

I wonder what it's like to live so close to a major rail line.
Click for the large image and zoom in to see
the rocker on the front porch.

Southbound AMTRAK Cascades which passed us,
having departed Vancouver earlier in the morning.
The engine needs a wash and has had some rough scrapes.

Getting close to Bellingham. Some lucky folks have some
pretty magnificent homes with water views.

Getting close to Bellingham. If you are on this train,
you want to be seated on the left side for the scenic views.

Kayaking on Puget Sound

Looking into Bellingham Bay near the 
Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, WA

Famous "white rock" at White Rock, BC, Canada
The train rolls right by downtown White Rock,
just north of the US/Canadian border.

Pacific Central Station
Vancouver, BC
Final stop, taxi to hotel.
Arrival was late, but not more than an hour.

Today's destination ... Canada Place,
Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal
and Pan Pacific Hotel.

Comments are off until the final post of this series. Thank you for stopping by and keep an eye out for Coastal Adventure - Part 2: Vancouver - Overnight stay.