Midsummer's Eve

Today I was reading about the summer solstice on my dictionary app (completely obsessed - I love words and fun facts!) and found some pretty interesting information. I love all things nature as well as history, so this was a treat. Not only does tomorrow mark the first day of summer, but it's also the longest day of the year. 

"The term solstice is derived from the Latin scientific term solstitium. Containing the Latin so- meaning “the sun” and stittium meaning “stoppage,” the term translates  “point at which the sun seems to stand still.” Just as the Roman author and philosopher Pliny the Elder used the term in his Natural History, an encyclopedia published in AD 77-79, solstice continues to be used today to describe the exact moment when the earth’s axial tilt is closest to or furthest from the sun."From dictionary.com

I kind of really love etymology too. 

Another cool thing... William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place on midsummer's eve, which is the summer solstice. I like the sound of that... Midsummer's Eve. It sounds kind of magical. Whimsical. 

I read about the different traditions and customs in other countries that take place and have been taking place for many years. It's all interesting. Some of it is bizarre, I'll admit. I just really like summer and pretty words. God created such beauty and lately I feel as though I've been noticing it more, taking it in. I feel like I'm more blown away and found breathless by the world more and more lately and I love it. It's lovely.