Having days slowly get shorter and colder is not a very positive experience. Now we can look forward with some positive hope.
The winter solstice has been marked for a long time as primitive people were aware of what was taking place and could name the date when the day was shortest and the night was longest.
Since I spent winters above the Arctic circle, I experienced nights that were six weeks long. that's right. The sun never rose above the horizon for six weeks. Some people were devastated by this situation. It didn't bother me at all.
So where I live the sun rose at 8:43 AM and set at 4:22 PM which gives us 7 hours and 39 minutes of sunshine.
We have lots of snow cover and have had sub zero C weather for about 4 weeks.
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| The old snow stick with 15 cm or 6 in. of snow |
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| That's right I skied today |
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| The creek is well covered with ice and snow |
your ski trail looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteOkay, there are better trails but I'm sticking close to home.
DeleteI would have liked seeing you ski. I've never even tried. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI should have sAID, "I do cross country skiing."
DeleteWe've had rain all day! I'm so fed up with this! I love your stories of the north!!!!
ReplyDeleteA retired northerner has been skating with us. We know so many of the same people and have had similar experiences that it's a lot of fun.
DeleteI am certain I wouldn't like six weeks of darkness. You have more snow than we do! You win!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could handle 6 weeks of darkness now but back in the old days it was fun. As for snow, there's a lot of time left.
DeleteI think the longest I've gone without daylight or real sunshine was about 2 weeks. That is plenty long enough for me. I love to see the sun at least every 3 days. I'm glad the days are getting longer. Have a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOn the coast you will have lots of very dull weather but this was when the sun did not rise above the horizon.
DeleteNights that were six weeks long! I'm sure I'd survive it but I wouldn't like it. Not one bit! That small dusting of snow we recently got is long gone and all we'd have is a lot of rain.
ReplyDeleteSomebody like you would have a ball. We did all kinds of things to keep going.
DeleteI just checked our daylight hours for today - 7:54 to 4:20, or 8Hr, 25 min. But since it rained all day from heavy dark skies, we hardly called it daylight.
ReplyDeleteHey I'd trade daylight with you!
DeleteIt is very dark here too with rains and storms, but I like those wintertimes. The change of seasons is nice , each season has its own charms. You have a lot of snow I see, here in Europe there is now winter, the ski resorts in Austria have no snow at all!
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned about climate change and the mild winters are an example of warming.
DeleteWe have 8 hours 13 minutes here, Red, which compared to yours seems almost long. I am looking forward to the return of the sun, too. On the other side of the world, their summer solstice marks the beginning of the shortening of their days. But for all of us, happy solstice! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I trade your day length any time. However, things will be coming back.
DeleteI used to ski when my bones were less brittle and I did like it. I could not do it often because the only places to ski required a drive and money.
ReplyDeleteI cross country ski. Although we have great groomed trails I ski in a park close to my house.
DeleteWell I guess Scotland's Outer Hebrides has a shorter day: sunrise 0909 and sunset 1534. By my calculation that made today's official daylight 6 hours and 25 minutes.
ReplyDeleteYes but the Hebrides are at a much higher latitude. They do get much longer summer days.
DeleteWow- you really are in the deep freeze! I skied once in my life...on my nose. Never again. Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteI cross country ski. It's easier but gives you much more exercise.
DeleteWow!!So much ice and cold!!!We have only rainstorms for ao\bout a monthe now..We are escaping to the mountians for Christmas
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you and family Red♥
Nice dry snow is much more to my liking. Have a great hioiday.
DeleteOh Red, you should have seen the seven day forecast on the weather tonight on TV. No sun at all. Dark cloudy days with rain, temperatures in the high 70's, thunderstorms tomorrow, 75 degrees predicted for Christmas day. Your snow looks so pretty and just right for Christmas. I am looking forward to the days getting longer again.
ReplyDeleteNow I would like 75 if it was July!
DeleteNone of the white here, maybe a chance tomorrow. I have a very green yard still.
ReplyDeleteThe snow does look pretty! Aside from the odd snowfall, we have yet to see one that'll stick around. Hopefully soon.
ReplyDelete