By The Way...

Wednesday, December 21, 2005
10:10:00 AM EST
Hearing A Holly Jolly Christmas -- Burl Ives
First day of winter today, which means the least amount of sunlight today; in my little town that means the sun will set at 5:16 pm, although since it's currently overcast, it'll probably feel like it's getting darker even sooner than that. I wanted to snap a picture of the sunrise today, but clouds foiled that. Curse you, clouds!

Of course, it's been feeling like winter already for a couple of weeks now, although ironically the next couple of days will apparently bring slightly higher temperatures and rain -- which means there's a possibility the snow on the ground will get rolled back a bit. In other words: A white Christmas? Not so much. But then, I grew up in Los Angeles, so I wouldn't mind a green Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.

Winter is not an entirely comfortable time for a California-raised fellow such as myself, but I do have to say I like it. I think it's beautiful in its severe way, and I love the cold, clear winter nights here in the country when you can look up and see the entire Milky Way galaxy looking back at you. There's not much I would trade that for, and it's worth putting on a jacket (and cap, and gloves...) for. Winter has its purpose.


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This entry has 8 comments: (Add your own)

• #8 Comment from lurkynat 
  12/22/05 1:28 PM | Permalink

  Dear John,
  Greetings! Enjoy the skies there! I'm glad you and yours are in good health!
  natalie
• #7 Comment from psychfun 
  12/22/05 8:02 AM | Permalink

  Dang 77 in AZ...I want to go! Ok...lets see that makes you a class half empty guy then? Hmmm...it could be said that starting tomorrow the days will get longer...YA! :-) Spring will be here soon! We will all be planting our seeds, hearing the birds, lawn mowers and children playing and smelling grills firing up soon! :-)
• #6 Comment from southernmush 
  12/21/05 11:16 PM | Permalink

  Hello.........This is a beautiful picture of Winter. This reminds me of a Winter poem by RBrimm I really like the fact that you shared this................I think this is amazing. Its been really cold here in Georgia but it hasn't snowed at all here. I doubt that we will get any snow here in Georgia........Thank you for sharing this picture. At least I get to see a little bit of snow.........
• #5 Comment from mavarin 
  12/21/05 8:00 PM | Permalink

  Meanwhile, it's 77 degrees in Tucson.  Happy Winter! - Karen
• #4 Comment from hipppyy2k 
  12/21/05 4:20 PM | Permalink

  Winter
  
  
  
  
  I take a seat in front of my window,
  Observing the drops of rain,
  Solidifying into flakes of snow,
  Creating a veil edging my windowpane.
  
  The earthen milieu redesigned,
  Whilst Mother Nature sleeps,
  Swathed in a blanket of dreams,
  Secreted away in a winter haven.
  
  While gusts of wind are felt passing through me,
  To the core within the province of thine own self,
  Winter speaks to me with her cold breath,
  Sending messages I can’t hear let alone see,
  
  Obscuring an interlude of what may be,
  I manage to endure the stinging artic air,
  Looking out my window from within,
  Not to feel warmth until winter ends.
  
  Septemberrose©
  
  

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