According to the calendar, in the northern hemisphere, today the sun is the lowest, the night is the longest and winter starts. Except winter started weeks ago here and it looks like it will be a long winter so hopefully this log house has a supply of wood stacked up for the cold nights.
Start of Winter
The sunlight is short as the official start of winter approaches and even the few hours daylight may be cloudy or hazy sun. And with enough ice crystals in the air, even a ring appears around the sun reminding me it is cold outside.
Sun Circle
The pink sunset adds some color to the white landscape but it also reveals the lingering ice on the limbs.
Pink Ice Glow
Even with the sun out bright, I still have trouble imaging that I am on a warm beach and what I see is sand instead of snow. I suppose the -25ºF wind chill and the frozen seat might be a factor in my lack of imagination.
Wishing for a Warm Sandy Beach
You often hear people say that ‘things will look better in the morning’. Even in the Disney’s Jungle Book, Bagheera said the same quote, but it sure didn’t look better this morning as the trees are still ice and snow coated and it definitely did not feel better with the temperatures below zero. The poor trees seem as weary of winter as I am and winter has only started.
Not Better in the Morning
It is always interesting when going through the old photos of my grandparents and seeing the history of years past. It would be nice if this winter picture was in the past but the winter season has just started and spring is months away.
Winter Not History Yet
Today is ‘Giving Tuesday’, a daylong national event designed to help charities raise money online and encourage volunteerism following the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I am definitely willing to give or volunteer my snow to anyone that wants it!
Giving Snow
The snow might have been pretty to some folks the other day, but the snow could wait another month or so since I still have stuff to do outside and preferred the above freezing temperature today compared to the days below freezing.
Pretty Snow?
The oak leaf is trying to get out of the snow but the snow isn’t letting go of its grip yet and winter appears to be staying.
Leaf Fighting the Snow
The oak leaves were white again this morning but this time it wasn’t frost making them white but instead they were covered with snow, even the leaves still on the trees.
Winter Begins
