I have always thought that Midsummer’s Day comes too early.  Suddenly before Summer has really begun, we are in the middle of it and the days start getting shorter. That said Midsummer’s Day is famous for several reasons. First is of course that the Battle of Bannockburn was fought on this day in front of Stirling Castle in 1314.

Robert Burns, as usual, says it all. Check out this wonderful site of Burns’ poems read by real Scottish people.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/robertburns/works/robert_bruces_march_to_bannockburn/

Death of de Bohun as pre battle entertainment. This was before Cheerleaders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5kE3of1Lzo

It is also my brother Ian’s birthday today. Please all wish Ian a happy day.

The first reel is Midsummer’s Night.

Anyway here in Okinawa this hinge-like day between light and dark has been very wet. There is a rainy season on Okinawa which seems to have lasted since January. Previous years have been more sunny. However I dream on Midsummer’s Eve, as did Shakespeare, as I look out over the East China Sea.

“Since once I sat upon a promontory,
And heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath,
That the rude sea grew civil at her song,
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres,
To hear the sea-maid’s music. ”

I also met a Kennedy.

Apparently Neil Diamond wrote Sweet Caroline for this very charming lady.