Yay, Skybird!

Nice link for a calendar.

Yes, it's the solstice at 11:48 pm EST, 10:48 CST, 9:48 MST, and 8:48 PST. And then, to Regain Our Light!

Steve

Solstice! I agree. I'm always happy to think this is the shortest day and we're on the up-swing now! I had good intentions to get my winter sowing out today, but never did. I was still working on some last-minute Christmas gifts. Maybe I can get some seeds out tomorrow before the next snow storm arrives.

Now this is something I can get behind! I didn't even realize that today was already the 21st! There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Actually sunset starts getting later on December 9 but sunrise doesn't start getting later until January 9. It is always dark when I leave for work at 4:45 am so I would rather have the extra daylight for evening chores.

I just pull the blinds and hide from the evening darkness.

Rising to meet the day still occurs for me about 3 to 4 AM. By 5:30, my pale face and tired, red eyes may be pressed against the kitchen window desperate to see a glimmer of dawn's light!

Another hour of darkness and I'm scratching the frost off the inside of the window glass with broken fingernails! By the time the sky lighten outside the doors, I'm lying on the floor in a fetal position.

Steve

Poinsettias, in their native land:

in Mexico, where they are perennials.

Steve

Beautiful and impressive, digit! Temp station read 5 degrees when I woke up this morning. It's climbed all the way to 7! 14 degrees in town. That looks inviting!

But, it is Christmas, so today I'll enjoy the cold and snow cover.

Barb

I've been to Mexico about 35 times and sadly I have never seen a poinsettia tree. But I have imagined them in my dreams. Merry Christmas all!

Anybody else noticing it??? Before the 21st it was already all the way dark out before 5:00. Now, in just 15 days, there's still "usable" light out at quarter after five!

You GO, light!

Skybird

Oh, Skybird!

We have gained 10 minutes up here since our shortest day ...

It's getting dark now altho 15 minutes before sunset. This morning I was exercising and keeping track of the time ... the horizon was clear. I noticed that sunlight hit my South Window at 8:58am. That's an hour and a half after it officially rose.

What can I say, I don't have a level horizon.

Steve

I really do sympathize with you, Digit! I can't imagine having days that are that short! But at least remember that it's not getting "worse" anymore, and it is--SLOWLY--getting "better!"

Hang in there,

Skybird

Steve, I live in a canyon and so my horizon is not level, either. In fact, on the winter solstice this year it was bright and sunny and I watched my greenhouse which got full sun for only 9:00AM to 2:50PM. Pretty brief!

I have definitely noticed as well. Although, much like David and Steve I don't have good horizon on my west side. Of course, this is a reality for everyone on the front range. I wonder if relative proximity has an effect? I.E folks out in Aurora perhaps get to have a slightly longer sunset period as opposed to those of usuch closer to the foothills? I dunno, regardless, I am enjoying very much the (noticeably) longer days as opposed to just two weeks ago.

The slightest of snows began yesterday afternoon and continued into the night. There has been just a little melting for several days and in many places, plants and wheat stubble are showing through the snow cover.

On the daylight front, yesterday morning dawned with bright sunshine with blue, blue sky! There was no snow on Sunday but clouds kept most streetlights on until after 10 AM.

Our light snowfalls are making a difference. Drought designation has dropped from severed to moderate. Locally, we have 75% of normal snowpack but in some of the northern Cascades, where fires have been so terrible the last two years, snow accumulation is 100% and above. We will now go into a short rainy period the WS says. I checked their forecast for a little higher elevation and it looks pretty good to a layman. Anything above 2,400 feet should receive snow, not rain.

I know an elevation like that doesn't look like much to people in Colorado but that's just a little higher than where most people live and most cities. My home is right at 2,000, although I once lived at 2,500 feet near Pend Oreille Lake.

I'll be watching this WS website this week (link) and hoping our 75% snow pack doesn't start rushing off towards the Columbia!! We may see more wheat stubble around here but predictions look fine for even the low hills and upper river valleys.

Steve