Solstice Breakfast
I love the winter solstice. Finally, after slipping and sliding ever deeper into the doldrums of winter, we begin the march to spring. Even though winter will surely be with us for a few more months, every day now brings us closer to the return of warm weather and longer days. Tuesday was the shortest day of the year. In the Ottawa area, the sun rose at 7.40 AM and set at 4.23 PM, for a total of 8 hours, 42 minutes and 50 seconds of sunlight. Today, Wednesday, the day will stretch to 8 hours, 42 minutes and 51 seconds. Okay, this is going to take a while. But still. At least we’re heading in the right direction.
I would have liked to capture the solstice sunrise, but there was no sunrise to be seen, just a dull, grey sky. Instead, here are the horses and donkeys enjoying their solstice breakfast, apparently unconcerned about the passing of the seasons.
Willow House Chronicles 
lovely. there is something so very comforting about the winter solstice…
happy winter to you and yours!
I, too, thought it would be nice to glimpse the sunrise on this, the first day of the new year, but there wasn’t a sunrise, just a cloudrise. We missed the eclipsed full moon for the same reason.
But hey, we’ve gotten through the darkest days. Bring on the seed catalogues!
That lengthening of days is sometimes the only bright thing, in January and February, when the Winter storms rage. It helps us focus on the bright days ahead.
I love your name for the winter solstice — it is much better to think of it as turning a corner, instead of the shortest day of the year.
Thank you, Ana, Hope your winter is safe and fun.
Right on, LB! (Do people still say Right On?) Bring on the seed catalogues and the daylily catalogues too! We’ll be back in the garden soon!
It’s true, Louise, January and February can get pretty tiresome. It’s surprising how quickly the days lengthen though.
Thanks, Eyegillian. It’s good to try to think positively!