Winter Solstice

The official start of winter 2013-2014 was December 21, 12:11 p.m., the date of the winter solstice.  It’s the shortest, darkest day of the year.  From now until June the days grow longer, and as my dad often said, “As the days grow longer the cold grows stronger.”  I always wanted to ask him why June, with its long days, wasn't the coldest month of the year, but I never got around to it.

Winter really arrived back in November, the week before Thanksgiving, when temperatures dropped well below freezing and stayed there into December.  Madison’s Lake Mendota froze up earlier (December 16) than it has for the past three years.  Last season it didn't completely freeze over until January so in 2013 the lake froze over twice in one year—one of those important pieces of trivia that’s worthy of sharing when Holiday conversation lags.

On this first full day of official winter, mother nature decided to wallop us with a snowstorm to remind us that yes indeed winter is here and we’d better get used to it, and enjoy it for it will likely be around until March.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: For all its inconveniences, winter is a beautiful season.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 8, Downtown Madison Rotary, Noon.  Limping Through Life.

January 15-16.  La Crosse Farm Show, Convention Center. Winter on the Farm featuring stories from THE QUIET SEASON.  Speaking each day at 11:00 and 1:00.

January 19, 2:00 p.m. Gard Theater, Spring Green.  Showing of Winter on the Farm with questions and discussion.  Followed by book signing of THE QUIET SEASON. Sponsored by Wisconsin Public TV and Arcadia Bookstore.

January 22, 6:30 p.m. UW-Eau Claire Woodland Theater (in Davis Student Center). TV show with live presentation. (Winter on the Farm) Book signing of THE QUIET SEASON.