Last summer I spent about a month in Northern Montana while on my 6-week sabbatical. I was intrigued by the extra longs days up north. I enjoyed sitting outside in the evening until 11 PM or so, when dark began to settle in. So, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of extra long days in my new northern home: North Dakota. Already, the daylight lingers until after 9 PM and arrives early. Last night, I read in bed until about 9:30 and true dark was just setting in. This morning when I awoke at 6 AM, the sun was up and rising fast. It is a new experience to go to bed at dusk and arise to a bright new day–sunlight to sunlight.

So what are the real numbers, the difference in daylight hours between the Northern and Southern US? Check out Time and Date to find your numbers. There I learned the following:

• In Bismarck, ND today: 14 hours and 30 minutes of daylight
• In Corpus Christi, TX  today: 13 hours 16 minutes of daylight

That is an extra hour and 14 minutes of daylight up here. Does not sound like much, but the difference seems  huge when you live in the northern areas.

I also learned that on the Summer Solstice, we will have nearly 16 hours of sunlight. Can’t wait! Does it make up for the extra short days in the winter? Check back later for that tidbit.

Meanwhile, I went outside yesterday morning and heard flies buzzing around. I scanned the sky but couldn’t see anything. Hmmmm, maybe those little voices in my brain are speaking to me. Later in the day, while planting a few things my garden, I heard more buzzing, and I still couldn’t see any flies. About 8 PM I was out in the backyard setting up my garden sprinkler, and I heard an even more intense buzzing. Finally I looked up and saw that my beautiful trees are full of bees. The pink blooms have drawn bees from all over and they are simply swarming over the blossoms. At first I worried, thinking that a hive or swarm is nearby. Then, I remembered that ND is the number one producer of honey. Bees are simply numerous up here, as I saw in my trees. Still, I am keeping my eyes out for a hive. I am convinced that Tango tried to tell me about the bees. He has been hesitant to go into the backyard; in fact, he cowers in the bedroom when I try to force the issue of going out. I must learn to listen to him.

P. S. I cannot answer your comments, been a glitch in the system! Thanks for your comments and I will keep trying to figure out the problem.