Winter solstice › Date (2025)
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 10:03 AM
Northern Hemisphere · Eastern Time
THOSE WINTER SUNDAYS
Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,
Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?
--=Robert Hayden
Happy Solstice indeed.
ReplyDeleteLots of advice on what to do and how to dedicate this Solstice on social media. Beyond delighted that the old ways have entered the mainstream conversation.
My intent for this next year is simple: when I know better I do better and I intend to learn better.
Hope this season brings you exactly what you need.
Warm thoughts and cheer to all.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy holidays to the MAGA fascists who hate the rest of us as they are gleefully dividing our people and destroying our republic.
The days get longer from here on out! :)
ReplyDeleteThe sun begins its slow climb back to longer days. I like this poem by Mary Oliver:
DeleteSnowy Night
Last night, an owl
in the blue dark
tossed an indeterminate number
of carefully shaped sounds into
the world, in which,
a quarter of a mile away, I happened
to be standing.
I couldn’t tell
which one it was –
the barred or the great-horned
ship of the air –
it was that distant. But, anyway,
aren’t there moments
that are better than knowing something,
and sweeter? Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness. I suppose
if this were someone else’s story
they would have insisted on knowing
whatever is knowable – would have hurried
over the fields
to name it – the owl, I mean.
But it’s mine, this poem of the night,
and I just stood there, listening and holding out
my hands to the soft glitter
falling through the air. I love this world,
but not for its answers.
And I wish good luck to the owl,
whatever its name –
and I wish great welcome to the snow,
whatever its severe and comfortless
and beautiful meaning.
The Trump-Winter Solstice, right?
ReplyDeleteI vote for triple daylight saving just for today.
ReplyDeleteWhen one gains compassionate wisdom through going deeper within themselves the likelihood of understanding and merging with the natural energy flow of life increases exponentially.
ReplyDeleteThank You. Although I find you blog, as Wei as your opinions to be very strange snd boarding on Sick, I can respect your opinions. As far as my opinion, and my personal experience going forward in 2026 I see. Booming Economy, and very good thinks coming forth.
ReplyDeleteOur President, has done great, and wonderful things in cleaning up the mess in our country and especially in the Border situation.
Here is hopefully thinking that 3026 might bring the troubled Democrats will see the light and do what’s best for America, and change the path they have been on.
Hello Anonymous
DeleteThank you for your comment (I think).
You claim my opinions are "very strange and boarding[sic] on Sick...but you "can respect" my "opinions?"
So, you "respect...very strange and boarding[sick] on Sick" opinions. Interesting.
BTW, proof reading can be your best friend. The term is "bordering on," not "boarding on." And commas are used in sentences to add clarity and separating ideas, not as decorations.
Now you very well may be an English-as-a-second-language commenter; and if so, passable effort! If you're not an ESL student and you are native born here in America and went through our educational system, then your English teachers in grammar, high school, and college (if you got that far) failed you miserably.
Happy Holidays!
It's a bot Shaw...
DeleteMs. Shaw, That is results the of public education run by union teachers who have zero expectations of performance placed on them.
ReplyDeleteI’m not as sure as you are that the commenter is even a citizen. And Dave M. May be correct.
DeleteWhy not provide a link to the information supporting your statement skud. Or do you expect lacking evidence supporting your statement it should be accepted simply on your beliefs?
DeleteFound on Facebook:
ReplyDelete“It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams. Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregor’s Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area.
We all offer our condolences to Mick's family and close friends, who can feel justifiably proud of his achievements and musical legacy.
Ian Anderson. 21st of December 2025”
That is very sad news Shaw. Thanks for the heads up. I hope Mick Abrahams memory is a blessing to everyone who love them.
ReplyDeleteI went to an Ian Anderson concert back in the day. I swear that man can conjure worlds with his mastery of the flute. Best concert ever. The music for this post was on point. Grateful.
Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, one of may most favorite artists of the 70's...
ReplyDeleteIan Anderson, a true master of the flute.
Loved the post.