A noise like of a hidden brook
In the leafy month of June,
That to the sleeping woods all night
Singeth a quiet tune
—Coleridge
Welcome June!
June is the most beautiful month of the year in Portland. All the trees are leafed out, the dogwoods are still in bloom, as are the peonies, lilies, roses, black-eyed Susans, daisies, fuchsias, foxglove, and lavender. The night-blooming jasmine perfumes the air. Truly, the list of flowers is endless, and everything is new and bright and saturated with color.
June was named for the Roman goddess Juno. Juno was the patron of marriage, hearth and home, which is where the custom of June weddings originated. The full moon is called the Strawberry Moon, to honor the first fruit of the season.
The summer Solstice falls on June 21st. It’s the longest day of the year and officially the beginning of summer. During a typical Portland winter, we can go for weeks without seeing the sun. Now that it’s June, the skies are violet-blue and the daylight lasts for nearly 17 hours.
My birthday falls in June. I do love birthdays. I adore birthday cake and birthday wishes. I love getting new books from friends and family on my birthday. Getting a nice stack in June can last me nearly until December’s Christmas books.