Lightfocus: Weather
This is a 'Just For Fun' exercise to consider while waiting for the bus or some other down-time. What 15 days in the year would you choose as your favorites? (A good activity to activate nostalgia, too.)
Here's my list. When you work out your list, let me know!
(Note- descriptions of seasons are from the northern hemisphere's perspective and my personal perspective of the midwestern US, no matter where I happen to be.)
Begin at the beginning...
January 1, the first day of the year.
A new day and a new year. The clean slate is full of promise, potential, and expectancy.
Feb 2, Ground Hog Day.
The day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole to look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter. And, as I was told as a child, if it is cloudy, spring will come March 21. (This is not the "official" version of the legend but it is one I was taught early on and has always worked for me.)
March 1, the first day of Meteorological Spring.
Note that Meteorological Spring and the Vernal equinox are not the same date. Meteorologists claim March, April, and May as spring.
March 20 (or thereabouts), the Vernal Equinox.
The day the sun is over the equator, and day and night are more or less the same length.
As with the other equinox and both solstices, the dates jump around a bit. Here's a list of all the dates it will fall on, any time soon.
April 2.
All are generally safe from the excesses of those who misinterpret the meaning of All Fool's Day. And, it is at about this time when the earth wakes up and decides it ought to do something about spring.
May 1, May Day.
This became a favorite day for me when I was a child. We made May Baskets from pages of old wallpaper sample books, filled them with wild flowers, hung them on the neighbor's door knob, knocked loudly, and ran away giggling.
This website lists "a cornucopia of holidays" that are celebrated on May 1.
June 1, the first day of Meteorological Summer.
If only all of summer were this beautiful and gently comfortable!
June 21, the Summer Solstice.
The sun is over the Tropic of Cancer and is at it's greatest distance north from the equator. Thus, it is the longest day of the year, and the sun is as high in the sky as it will get.
August 31, the last day of my least favorite month.
A time to celebrate and look forward to nearly a year of cooler temperatures.
September 1, the first day of Meteorological Autumn.
Another new season. The promise of gentler days and autumn leaf colors is at hand.
September 22 (or thereabouts), the Autumnal Equinox.
The sun has, once again, made it's way back to the equator. The weather is pleasant and we are promised many months before muggy, hot days of July and August are at hand again.
October 21, the height of the autumn color season (in the southern hills of Indiana.)
The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service publishes information pertaining to the current year fall colors for the US.
November (the 4th Thursday), Thanksgiving Day (in USA)
This is the only major holiday on my list. It's a favorite because it is quiet time, and not hyped overly much. It comes at point in the season that might be thought of as gray and somber but, to me, is the most delicate time of the year. The skies are often a gentle gray and the landscape shades of soft browns, dotted with dark pine green bring to mind an artist's subtle palette.
An interesting story about a not-so-quiet and gentle holiday is related here: The Year We Had Two Thanksgivings.
December 1, the first day of Meteorological Winter.
Winter has arrived. Usually a quiet time, getting quite chilly but not snowy, as a rule. The days are short, with crispy-cold starry nights.
December 21, Winter Solstice.
The shortest day of the year when the sun is positioned over the Tropic of Capricorn. It also has the longest night and promises colder weather in the coming weeks.
A lovely time to wrap up in a blanket, sip hot chocolate and read a good long book. Savor the long winter's night.