The Sun just entered the constellation Capricorn, so today is the Winter Solstice, the first day of Winter. We will be getting increasing hours of sunlight henceforth. This is both a Pagan and a Christian time of year. May it bring you happiness and blessings.
Frankly it doesn't feel that way in Southern Illinois. We had a high in the 50s today and they are predicting around 60 degrees on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Which is good. I hate snow now. I have to walk to work when it snows and it takes longer then cause nobody in my town shovels the sidewalks. I am incapable of driving.
shareWish I could say the same here in Boston. I loath snow, which we don’t have yet, but we will, and everyone will forget that they know how to drive in the snow, even though they’re like 52 years old. And it’s cold. But you and I will survive through this, again.
shareIncreasing sunlight is the best thing about the first day of winter. A local meteorologist tonight said the initial reversal to more sunlight hours is barely noticeable for the first three weeks or so. It's still nice to know we're on the upswing once again.
shareI like how meteorologists do it. They use the first of each month of each seasonal change to mark the seasons, so Winter is Dec 1- Feb 28/29, Spring is Mar 1 - May 31, etc. I like that better than the "calendar dates."
shareThe seasonal dating system I used is an astronomic one, NOT a calendar system.
I’m glad you like a half-assed system. Nature’s schedule is more subtle, substantial and accurate.
And? So what if it's astronomical? Does that really make that much of a difference in the weather?
Even though the days technically started getting longer a few days ago, we've been having longer hours of "daylight at night" for awhile now. That's what really matters to me. I couldn't care less if sunrise starts at 7:31 or 7:32 A.M. However, when the sunset goes from 5:08 to 5:09 P.M., that is a big deal to me. It really gives me a mental boost to know that sunset is getting later.
I have nothing against how you measure time and the seasons...but, here in Ohio, I like the way the meteorological community does it. It works for me!
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You present as a tough guy type yet some reasonable dude makes a statement and you flat out ignore him..?
You are genuine moron Kane.
Aren’t you glad you took the time and trouble to reply, lol.
shareI like that also because that is how the seasons feel here in SW Ohio, but it certainly is more of mental state than a scientific one.
shareRight! I have nothing against R_Kane's way of doing things, but I like the meteorological way better. It sure is nice feeling that Spring starts on March 1 instead of, say, March 21, for example.
shareHmmm, perhaps that's a good plan for next year. ☼
I've never celebrated a "Pagan" Solstice.
And I still prefer the less academic term Sun Turn for it. ☀️ 🥨
Solstice and Equinox don't really sound romantic.
And even though I prefer it cool, don't want to freeze my butt off.
That's why we'll head for a 'Summer Sun Turn' (beginning of summer).
Yes, a lovely summer celebration with huge fires. 🔥🔥🔥
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f3/91/12/f391124f466c016e92e841ddc4d431e5.jpg
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I’m making this a separate post instead of adding it to my previous message, because I want to make sure that you see it.
Re: Sun turn. Years ago I wrote a poem titled Changing Dogs, about how I had to put 1 vicious, wild Shepherd down and then adopted a puppy. This happened in an October. The final lines were: “Smelling the Holidays at the end of the month/The small cold wet nose at the other end [of the leash] points towards Easter/He’s “only a dog,” but, easier than I/He smells the green leaves on the other side of the year.”
I know the green warmth is there. Thank you for reminding me.
You're very welcome! 🍀 ☀️
Your cute little poem ♥ in context with the Pretzel reminded to a special town.
"Pretzel" sounds so harsh..."Brezel" is soft spoken.
https://www.dict.cc/?s=brezel
Doesn't look a Brezel 🥨 like an eternity ♾️ sign?
The sun turns twice a year...forever (leastwise we like to believe that).
Pretzels aka Brezel come in all sorts of shapes that date back to pre-Christian times.
And those times were anything else than "Pagan".
The town Altenriet claims to be the origin of the Brezel. 🥨
Now look at Altenriet's heraldry.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/DEU_Altenriet_COA.svg/1132px-DEU_Altenriet_COA.svg.png
That's a hound dog with two Brezel.
That was your dog 🐕 who can smell and listen into eternity. ♾️
A very merry Christmas to you! ♥
Frohe Weihnachten! 🎄❄️☀️🌱
Happy Winter Solstice. It's summer in Australia atm, though it doesn't quite feel like it yet - still getting a lot of spring rain and mild to cold days.
shareSo lovely to hear from you. A cold rain is the worst, isn’t it? With a snowstorm, the snow may not melt to fluid until you get home. Cold rain? That’s a cold shower! All my best wishes and thoughts are with you, cherished friend. Enjoy this holy season.
shareThanks, and same to you. I hope you weather the season and have a pleasant Christmas.
shareYou're from Australia?!
I've just read an article about a funny duel kangaroo vs. dog.
https://www.geo.de/natur/tierwelt/warum-kaengurus-sich-im-wasser-mit-hunden-duellieren-34280498.html
Sorry, off topic and in German...in short:
Kangaroo tries to drown attacking dog, handler saves dog and pays for it too. ☺
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEQ2h_V1fz0
Kangaroo wins! 🦘🥇
I am. I take it you're from Germany?
I wouldn't call the article funny, I think the constant bushfires and harsh bush terrain has made kangaroos more aggressive, so them attacking other animals is an unfortunate side effect of that. But kangaroos are often quite shy and non-aggressive unless under threat.
In the article they said it's an approved kangaroo tactic against dingos aka wild dogs.
Escape to waters, cause canines need all 4 feet to swim.
Kangaroo can still stand and has 2 'arms' free to bang them.
However...need to leave...goose looks good. ♥
Merry Christmas! 🎄
I've lived here in Upper Michigan my entire life and this will be the first Christmas in my 57 years without snow.
48F and no snow. Lots of fog though