Today is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and generally a cause for celebration here. We try to have a cookout or picnic regardless of the weather. Ours was last night upon the arrival of eldest child and elder daughter from Washington state with her husband and two sons. We just had hot dogs and chips, but it still qualifies, and it was +12 F. when they arrived. Number 3 son and his family are arriving tomorrow from Missouri. The entire family except for daughter number 2 and her family will be here in Alaska. She doesn't travel much as she has 6 children, although only 4 are currently at home; one is only 6 months old though. It is fixin' to be a wild week!
I am ready for longer days to start, and warmer weather also, although that will probably not be happening much for the next 2-3 months. Daylight Savings time again in March, so that is always good. I wish they would leave it that way all year.
I refer to tomorrow as the "beginning of the long, slow slide into summer." Of course, I also refer to the day after the summer solstice as the "beginning of the long, slow slide into winter." Days will begin to slowly lengthen and accelerate as we get into February.
It seems to me that the days get longer slowly at first but then by leaps and bounds. No scientific reasoning, just the way it seems to me. Happy solstice, everyone!
I read that each day gets longer by 2.5 minutes or so, so that when a month has gone by it's an hour longer.