Writings about

the many life lessons

unearthed when we dig

in the dirt . . . and pursue

a wide range of other interests

in the constantly changing

garden of life.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Congratulations on Us All

Gather round, my friends. As you’re reading this, you know there’s good news today. First, the world did not end, as some believed it would, basing their predictions on a cockeyed interpretation of the Mayan calendar.

More good news: more sunlight; the days just started getting longer, thanks to the Winter Solstice, which I celebrate with much gusto. Coincidentally, or maybe not so coincidentally, I happened to see a light pattern in my stairwell, a pattern I’d never noticed before.


It fled quickly, like all moments of light, including the light spear in the second image. It appears daily on the slanted ceiling of my writing room.

 Both were mesmerizing. Part of the hypnotic quality is the uniqueness of this event. Like the light on a bloom on a plant on a day in a year, these moments can never be repeated. They're as gone as the fear of a Mayan-calendar doomsday.




Congratulations on surviving, and Happy Solstice on us all.

20 comments:

  1. Hey Lee,

    Congratulations indeed! We really didn't expect the world to end, did we? Now, those who make a game out of predicting it will can pick another date!

    Happy Winter Solstice to you!

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    1. Oh, yes, you can bet your bottom dollar this will not be the last day the world ends. Enjoy the Solstice, Barbara.

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  2. Winter blew in here. We had howling winds that ushered winter in with a skiff of snow for show. I will love the longer rays. Happy Solstice.

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  3. Longer days are definitely a reason to celebrate. Sunset times actually started getting later last Saturday. Happy Solstice!

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Good Solstice cheers back on you.

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  4. Jon Pringle Essex, VermontDecember 22, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    As the daylight phase of the 24-hour day slowly grows longer, I'm equally pleased to have snow increasing ambient light. Vermont winters are often long and harsh. Where I live 130" of snow accumulates more often than not. I celebrate Solstice as a marker - in a sense it marks the beginning of the tough part of winter. Yet it's a flickering candle in the darkness as we move forward on the path towards another season in our gardens. Happy Holidays to you Lee and all who read this outstanding bolg.

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    1. Good point, Jon; snow's light does matter. And with your usual snowfall, you get a whole lot of snow light. I love your imagery of the flickering candle. Speaking of images, I just enjoyed your outstanding art photographs (including Solstice Sphere) at:

      http://www.capturemyvermont.com/users/vtkatama

      Happy Holidays to you and yours.

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  5. Am I the only one who cherishes the short days of winter? I love the peace and calm as flora and fauna hunker down for a long rest. I also enjoy walking past houses and seeing cosy glimpses of life inside.
    And so the world - and its cycles - go on.

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    1. No worries; with only a few minutes and seconds more light as days go on, winter's long days are far from gone. I'm with you on the beauty of winter's bones, when gardens' essence becomes a counterpoint to the plump blooms and foliage of spring and summer.

      Here's to peace and calm in every season.

      Cheers.

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  6. We too see atypical rays of light at this time of year...when there's sun. The angle of the sun at this time of year lights up different corners of the house. The cats find new spots to soak up heat.

    I vote YES to peace and calm Lee!

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    1. Perfect cat spots, for sure. Let's hope our votes make a difference in the new year and going forward. Peace.

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  7. Great photos Lee, the light patterns are wonderful inspiration for writing. The second one has a mystical quality to it, as if it is pointing you in some direction. It's funny but it's the dark days of winter that inspire the best story ideas for me :)

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    1. Thanks, Rosemary. I'm always amazed at what light does. And your inspiration shows beautifully in your photographs. Cheers.

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  8. Light can be calming and inspiring. I look forward to longer days also, but I do appreciate the quiet and slowing down (garden-wise) of winter. Its nice to sit and look at all the garden catalogs and dream. Happy Holidays to you.

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    1. Happy dreams, L. This is when every garden is perfect. Enjoy your holidays, too.

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  9. I was hoping the world would end at my Visa company so I wouldn't have to pay my bill. No such luck! Merry Christmas!

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    1. That's funny. I hope your luck doesn't change. But I also hope you have lucky and happy holidays. Merry Merry and Happy Happy!

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  10. Happy solstice to you too, Lee! So happy to see the days getting longer again. Wishing you and yours a happy new year. :-)

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  11. Thanks, Beth, and the same back to you. Cheers!

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