Tag: summer

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Monday, December 23, 2024

This morning, I will answer a question I left open in yesterday’s blog. I wondered if the first day after the winter solstice is ‘the pluperfect shortest day’ of the year.

Saturday was this year’s winter solstice, a year’s shortest day. However, Sunday was the first day after the solstice, an equally unique and equal turning point. Although technically still dark, Sunday significantly marked the return to longer days.

Sunday, as a “pluperfect shortest day,” acknowledges its key position on the threshold between shorter and longer daylights. It marks, as clearly as Saturday (winter solstice), the shortest day of the year.

The pluperfect tense refers to something that “has happened;” or an action that has occurred before another action occurs, equal to, or nearly equal to, the first. In this example, the first day after the solstice is the first day after the shortest day has passed.

In a traditional sense, this might not be grammatically precise. The idea rose playfully as I recognized that a “pluperfect shortest day” equals its preceding day by significantly marking daylights from decreasing to increasing. Shifts in the cycle of light and darkness remind us that gradual changes will bring subtle but noticeable transformations.

Sunday following the winter solstice was technically as dark as the preceding day, lengthening daylight by two minutes, making Sunday pluperfect–an equal and next marker of longer days about to return.

Although Sunday’s daylight was virtually indistinguishable from Saturday’s, Sunday boasted a different energy. The day seemed more hopeful, our reminder of light slowly returning and boosting us from winter’s depths.

Dear Friends: Increasing light minutes will become visible in a few weeks. Diana

Hurry, Late….

Thursday, April 04, 2024

Overnight, snow fell, and this morning, we’re in a snow globe. Nature’s artistry boosts all surroundings. Six or eight fluffy inches weighing on juniper branches are fairy tale illustrations. It was different two days ago; then, our temperature rose to the seventies. We were wearing T-shirts and basking in spring weather—hiking, gardening, water-sporting, and welcoming wonderful warmth—for one day.

That’s typical, for this high desert’s transitions to spring or later to winter keep us on our toes. My winter wear remains handy (having learned from experience). This morning, I’ll bundle up, go outside, and kick a downhill path to the barn to feed my equines, chickens, and goats. Aside from essential outings today, I’ll stay inside with my dogs.

Thinking back, I remember my first spring here. Around April, I attended a friend’s “clothing party.” She was allowing someone representing a clothing company to show its newest line. I had come from California with light clothing and needed warmer items. In astonishment, I found myself looking at very summery apparel. I asked, “When could we wear these summery clothes?” and then laughed at the answer, “In September.”

To me, that was joking, but I learned differently. Back then, our high desert summer weather was cool and didn’t warm much until August. I found the September and October weather perfect for summer wear. That’s different now because weather transitions are more complicated, and our summers are hotter.

I am reminded to be treasuring episodes of rain and snow. This area needs lots of water to adequately support the continuing city growth and established agricultural community. Water shortage is a political issue that pressures this area’s ancient water distribution methods and how much becomes allowed to receivers.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” said the White Rabbit…

Dear Friends: We have learned the world is small, and everything affects us all. Diana