11.40am - Thursday 2nd January 2025 510

There are so many great celebrations this time of year! My family celebrates Solstice, a time when the sun seems to stop and hide, the days are short, and the wood stove is SO appreciated.

Every day after Solstice we gain a little more sunlight every day. It starts with 6 seconds per day, then 8 seconds, then 12. Then we gain minutes of sun per day.

For us in Connecticut there is about 6 hours and 4 minutes more sun at the Summer Solstice than there is at the Winter Solstice.

Enjoy your winter, wherever you are. I'm looking forward to 2025!


Now comes the twilight/Simple Comfort/Nature’s Way

Now comes the twilight of the season’s day
When leaves once green turn shades of gray.
They lay themselves down on soils wet and cold
To dream of spring’s warmth and sunshine gold.

The beasts in the pasture harvest the leaves
Getting fat for the winter when all growing will cease.
Soon only hay their bellies will fill
And they, too, will dream of luscious April.

Tis nature’s way when all growing is done,
When earth’s nodding head falls away from the sun,
For days to wane short and nights to wax long.
To the night, to sleep, and to dreams we belong.

All’s well in this winter-ready home.
The woodpile’s high and the beasts will not roam.
In such simple comfort some folk can delight
And sweetly dream on til the end of the night.