Yesterday it was summer solstice here, but it is on the twenty first in Europe. The transit must have been after four pm here yesterday, that would make it the next day in Europe with the eight (8) hour time difference.

The summer’s solstice sun would shine into my bedroom’s east looking window at sun rise, but no more, sad to say. The new condo building is now blocking this solstice sun at dawn and it will be others to celebrate once the building becomes occupied.

I’ve enjoyed this light play for many a year and taken many photos of it over time. That sun would even shine into the inner hallway at such time. But, at winter perigee [low point] the sun, shining in through my south looking window, will light up almost the same spot that the apogee sun would light in the summer coming in from the east!

Father’s day lunch was celebrated at Janet and Jeff’s place with John and his extended in law family, which has become family to me too now after thirteen years of such celebrations.

Yesterday I had breakfast with my retired colleagues, a small group of eight this last time before our summer recess. Then at one pm Jack and I had our delayed Monday aft coffee talk, which took all of two hours. He is in the middle of moving and selling their house, so it is an enervating time for him and Vangie.

At supper time I got my ‘good to go’ email from ‘car2go’ and after supper I ventured out to try one such car. However, it would not accept my pin, but at least I sat in the driver’s seat! I’ll give it twenty four (24) hours for my pin to get established in the system, before I raise the ‘alarm’!

Yesterday I also received a card from Derrick cum Metta for father’s day, which was a surprise since he had not mentioned anything when we talked. Father’s day lunch was celebrated at Janet and Jeff’s place with John and his extended in law family, which has become family to me too now after thirteen years of such celebrations. Always such a welcoming and hospitable family group I’ll call it. And I also got two nice cards from Annie and her parents. My socks for John were a hit!
In Sunday’s late aft Shirley and I met, chatted a lot and had a light supper at James on Fourth, but not all that tasty or healthy. It is all volume that is served, but not quality.

My reading in “The Hindus” is progressing, remaining interesting and useful. Author Doniger classifies the Vedas - that what is heard - as collective in nature, while she regards the Upanishads - that what is remembered - as developing the individual. That latter aspect emerges in the process of renunciation that the Upanishads advocates. This makes an interesting parallel with Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey whose writings reflect a similar shift in attitudes from the earlier Iliad to the later Odyssey.

This insight suggests ‘finding reconciliation of religions while maintaining their integrity’.

Last Friday, Herman asked me for the title of my talk and suggested November 13 for a date. He does not need the write up until after my next talk, but I do welcome this little heads up. This, because my notions are still quite vague for that fourth talk in this years series of ‘added teachings’. I am vaguely aiming at a summation of the preceding talks of this year, to be combined with a ’bridgehead’ for upcoming talk themes.

In this regard I am considering a recent insight relating to my first childhood memory. This insight suggests ‘finding reconciliation of religions while maintaining their integrity’. This sounds a bit abstract and obtuse even, all by it self. However, it does fit with today’s need to add teachings of tolerance and adjustments to our handed down traditions and yet leave their internal consistency intact.
Not easy, but possible with effort.
<9:17am~