HAZZAH to Summer!

Today is June 21. In the Northern Hemisphere it’s the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year and the first official day of summer. In the Artic Circle, there will be 24 hours of daylight and along the Tropic of Cancer the sun rays are directly overhead.

NASA recently launched the Solar Dynamics Observatory, a project that is part of the Living With a Star program designed to learn more about solar variability and its impact on Earth. Results are already being sent back showing that the Sun is currently entering a highly active period unlike anything seen since the 70s. During these active periods, solar flares, like the one shown in the picture, increase and release broad spectrum radiation into the atmosphere. The radiation results in higher levels of x-ray and UV waves which impact life here on Earth.

Being a Leo, I am ruled by the Sun. Summer is the season when I am the most energized, the most creative, and the most ambitious. And, with the Sun in an active period, this is shaping up to be the Summer of Sam.

Rock Story

I have a master’s in archaeology. I got it at the University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England. After the pieces of this bracelet were assembled, the shapes and colors reminded me of Avebury. The shiny flecks of Pyrite on the Quartz rectangles, the stark, coldness of the White Agate coins, and the imperfect shapes of the grey freshwater pearls stirred my memories of the Upper Kennet Valley.

During my coursework, we went on a 2 week long field trip all over England and Wales visiting archaeological sites. We must have seen and investigated 18 different places, including the infamous Stonehenge. Avebury was the one that we visited that astonished me. It was electrifying. Standing in that stone circle, I got goose bumps on my arms and the little hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I can still feel that wonder and awe writing about it now. Without a doubt, this henge held deep significance for whoever created and used it. Someone (or ones) was compelled to upright theses gigantic rocks, some weighing as much as 40 tons. There must have been a damn good reason. Even with all of our modern science and technology we can only speculate. And after more then 5,000 years, 27 of the 98 stones are still standing – mocking gravity and defying psychics.

Fun 2 Save

It's always important to save. What's that saying, a penny saved is a penny earned? I think that's it. Well, now you can save your pennies and have fun doing it. The Pig Pen has a wide selection of unusual and adorable piggy banks. Traditionally, piggy banks were for children. But with so many whimsical designs, now they're for adults too. Keep one in your office, and save up for those times your boss drives you to drink. Or keep one in the kitchen, and encourage your dinner guests to contribute to your "retirement" fund. Whatever the reason - splurging on one of these seems like an obvious investment.