Summer Newsletter 2026

Happy summer!  

What is more beautiful than a June day?  

It’s time to go outside and enjoy the flowers, the sun, and our New England  summer.  

There is so much difficulty, war and angst this year; feeling joy and  happiness is an act of defiance. Let’s spread happiness and kindness.

We humans have more in common than our differences. Let’s find our  humanity together and end war and fighting. Lets start our days with love  and warmth.  

In Chinese medicine, this is the time of the Fire Element. Like a flower in  bloom, we too are at the peak of our physical functioning during the  summer. The energy of the universe supports this external expression of  life. Fire energy is related to happiness, enjoyment, laughing, having fun,  and playing. This is the time of year to find what makes us happy and do it.  Joy, like fire, is ephemeral and expansive, warming us and bringing us light  and laughter.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Shop at a farmer’s market or grow  a garden. Cooling foods are cucumbers, watermelon, salads, lemons, and  limes. Herbs that help to cool us are mint, chamomile, and lemon balm.

Take advantage of the season’s lightness and warmth, the flowers and the  beauty. Go out and smell the roses, the lilies and each blossom as it opens.  This is a challenging time but with the change of season we have a  reprieve. It empowers us to find joy and happiness.

Love,

Margaret

Why I Wake Early

By Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face,

Hello, you who make the morning

And spread it over the fields

And into the faces of the tulips

And the nodding morning glories,

And into the windows of, even, the  Miserable and crotchety -

Best preacher that ever was,

Dear star, that just happens  

To be where you are in the universe To keep us from ever-darkness,

To ease us with warm touching,

To hold us in the great hands of light - Good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch, now, how I start the day

In happiness, in kindness.