Friday's Follow-Up Re A Visiting Jay

Atop this entry is a copy of a Mutts cartoon created by Patrick McDonnell. It was initially posted in celebration of the 2018 Winter Solstice and I thought of the sentiment expressed by Mooch during the nor'easter which occured in NYC this past Monday (2-1-2021).

As I said in my blog post about the event (which I published the next day) an array of bird types (including a lone American robin, several Dark-eyed juncoes, a number of House sparrows, an entourage of Mourning doves, and a lone Northern mockingbird) spent a lot of time in my garden during this storm. 

The day following the storm, which happened to be Groundhog Day, a Blue jay stopped by my place.

Summer Solstice 2019

The 2019 Summer Solstice began in this hemisphere in the wee hours of the morning (EST) today. It is the longest day of daylight, although in NYC we may not have too much of that given the heavy thunderstorms which are predicted to occur throughout the day. As I've mentioned here on Blogger in bygone years, I know professional gardeners who do not like this day because going forward, every subsequent day it will turn darker and darker at an earlier hour.

Therefore, they prefer the Winter Solstice, which is the darkest day of the year and every subsequent day it turns lighter and lighter at an earlier hour.

What are your thoughts on the Summer and Winter Solstice, dear reader?

Summer Solstice in the Western Hemisphere (For the Year 2018)

The 2018 Summer Solstice began in this hemisphere a few hours ago (EST). It is the longest day of daylight, as many of you realize.

I know professional gardeners who do not like this day because going forward, every subsequent day it will turn darker and darker at an earlier hour.

Therefore, they prefer the Winter Solstice, which is the darkest day of the year and every subsequent day it turns lighter and lighter at an earlier hour.

What are your thoughts on the Summer and Winter Solstice, dear reader?

Wednesday's Wisdom: The Winter Solstice (The darkest day brings more light.)

Today in New York City, the 2016 winter solstice began at 5:44 A.M. As most folks know, the winter solstice is the darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. However, it also signifies the coming of lighter days and often brings on a festive mood; as evidenced by the snowpersons pictured in the images directly above this blog entry.

In certain time zones, religious leaders have used the coming, of more light as an analogy to Christ's coming bringing more light with his birthday celebrated on December 25th, the day of Christmas.

It is a comforting thought on the surface for believers, unless one thinks about that too long. For isn't His birth proclaimed in a hymn's lyrics as "joy to the world?" Not all of the world experiences the December winter solstice in this manner. For example, our Aussie friends and Brazilian comrades are usually in the midst of summer at this time.

Be that as it may, some folks see the winter solstice as a sign of hope because the light will be increasing with each of the coming days, and they have the mindset of the snowlady pictured below.

On another note, those same people tend to dread the summer solstice because each coming day after that is darker and darker!

It's Groundhog Day! It's Groundhog Day! (And my Salad Greens want to know what he has to say!)

The things which I grow in my urban (NYC) terrace garden, and I, would like to wish you a Happy Groundhog Day. Today marks the point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere (this day is celebrated on August 1st for those living south of the equator).

Winter Solstice: Think Spring!

Today is the winter solstice — for the year 2011 — when the days stop shortening, reverse direction and begin to grow long again. I have written about this phenomenon in the past, and if you'd like to read my thoughts on the solstice for 2010 (posted on TLLG), please click here.

As for the snowman figurine (seen in the image posted above), who spends the winter season in my succulent garden: He is armed with his watering can and a "Think Spring" sign —  you've heard of occupy Wall Street — well my little figurine is all about "occupy gardens" in the anticipation of spring . . . for after this darkest (re sunlight) day of the year passes, each day will get brighter and brighter!

Winter Solstice

As most people know, the 2010 winter solstice will occur tonight December 21st, 23:38 (11:38 PM), Universal Time. The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. However, it also signifies the coming of lighter days and often brings on a festive mood. Religious leaders have used the coming, of more light as an analogy to Christ's coming bringing more light with his birthday celebrated on December 25th, Christmas Day. It is a comforting thought on the surface for believers, unless one thinks about that too long. For isn't His  birth proclaimed in a hymn's lyrics as "joy to the world?" Not all of the world experiences the December winter solstice in this manner. For example, our Aussie friends and Brazilian comrades are usually in the midst of summer at this time. The various ways to perceive ideas are never ending, as the illustration (posted above) by Dennis Kitchen — though not based on the solstice — depicts.