In the past week I've shoveled snow from two storms and the temperatures have ranged from single digits to the 50s. With mild temeratures and cheery birdsong today you could easily fool yourself into thinking spring was in the air.
When it comes to seasons I follow the meteorological calendar and consider December first the first day of winter, not the solstice. A fan of winter I'm not, but it's not so much the weather that bothers me as the abysmally short days. During the week, it's dark when I leave for work and it's dark when I get home. Today the sun rose at 7:14 and set at 4:23. Despite the anemic amount of daylight though, we have actually gained three minutes of sunset time since last week.
To read more about the solstice, check out this article from The Washington Post filled with all sorts of interesting factoids. The last sentence in the article sums up my feelings..."If you don’t like the cold, the good news is whatever the rest of winter brings, daylight is once again on the upswing.".
So light some candles and raise your glasses on this longest night of the year. Celebrate with family and friends. Not only is the season of givng in full swing but sunset times are on the rise!
Happy Winter Solstice!
Happy Winter Solstice to you too! I'm also really glad to see the sun returning. Can't wait till spring.
ReplyDeleteThe sun has just set here. Out of curiosity after seeing your sunrise/sunset times, I checked my own - today our sunrise was at 6:54am and our sunset at 4:49pm so our more southern latitude gives us an additional 46 minutes of daylight at this time of year. Not that it mattered much today - our skies remained gray (yet failed to deliver any rain). I, too, look forward to the lengthening days.
ReplyDeleteGlub. We're going tropical here in Georgia, with 70-degree temperatures and three or four inches of rain predicted in the next 24 hours. Combine the dark skies with the already short days on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, and you're left with a bah! humbug! feeling. Instead, I'll say Happy Solstice on you.
ReplyDeleteNice wintry photos! Your kitty seems to have found the perfect place for a long winter's nap! Wishing you a happy holiday season!
ReplyDeleteWe're buried in snow here. Lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteThe cat looks quite content!
Yes! The light returns to drive the dark away! Welcome Yule!
ReplyDeleteI remember that cat in a 1978 Playboy centerfold.
ReplyDeleteWell here's to longer days! Your stone angel looks a bit fed up is he suffering from the cold too?
ReplyDeleteChloris
Your cat looks happy but that's a miserable- looking angel he's obviously suffering from the cold. I don't blame him.
ReplyDeleteChloris
Winter can't be over soon enough for me!!! I will be happy when these short days begin to lengthen and the sun comes out to stay!
ReplyDeleteThanks to daylight savings time, I no longer go to work in the dark, which always made me feel like a mole. But I also focus on the idea that there's just a bit more sun every day past the solstice. I love how in-the-moment your cat is. Can you imagine what people would be like if we were as unselfconscious as animals are? Conversation would always be interesting if every one sat in a chair with as much panache as your cat. :)
ReplyDeleteThat angel captures my expression perfectly when contemplating winter. We are scheduled to be in the mid teens several nights next week, and yes, I know that is nothing compared to other places, but it is too cold for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderfully soothing photos of winter. I especially love the shot of your home, the exterior color scheme is so vibrant. Happy Winter!
ReplyDelete