Winter Solstice

 

Yesterday marked the beginning of the winter solstice.  It's a happy time for me because I look forward to more daylight each day.  I took the photo above about a week ago when there was a bit of snow on the ground, but all the snow has disappeared now.  It has been gray and dreary with absolutely no sunlight for days on end.  I've lost track of the cloudy days.  My guess is we've had about ten days of no sun and it's expected to stay this way.  Rain is in the forecast for Christmas Eve.  Not exactly the white Christmas that I'd hoped for.  But, we'll make the most of it, turning on the festive decorations and lighting the candles, creating our own holiday cheer.

 

I remember living in Key West and wishing for a cloudy day.  I tell my friends that I got more than I wished for when I moved to this little corner of the northeast.  But, soon the snow will arrive.  It's almost inevitable and then my little world will be transformed.  Can't wait! 

 

Yeah, I'm one of the crazy people who  loves winter and gets excited about snowstorms.  It's a forced retreat that I cherish.  In a big storm, the world  around us often comes to a complete halt.  Kind of special.  And, peaceful.  But, not for the faint of heart.  I often think that my sailing days prepared me for the serious snowstorms and sometimes bitter cold.  It's another adventure.

No big storms yet this year, so I'll post some winter photos from the past couple years.

 

The barn across the street. Why would I want to go south??

 

Delaware River - looking south from Basket Bridge.

 

Winter on Swago Pond.



 

A sunny shot of the barn.
 

 

Snow falling in the backyard, magical.