Winter Solstice

Today is the solstice, which marks the beginning of winter. This afternoon is a very gray and overcast day with temperatures just below freezing. Tomorrow we celebrate the beginning of winter with a predicted day of light rain. On the other hand our autumn has finally left us, but not without a mighty blast of wind, snow and cold. I guess the weatherman must have come down with a bad case of dyslexia for he seems to have the two seasons backwards, though once January and February roll around things I'm sure that things will get back to normal.

This past week we have seen two snow storms of moderate size. Each one has left us with about a half foot of snow., making for a very snowy landscape here in the city. The sidewalks are in pretty good shape, but there are big piles of snow everywhere. It is kind of fun to walk down the narrow footpaths with four foot high piles of the white stuff on each side of you. One would never know that there are carefully laid brick sidewalks hidden beneath winter's fury. Sometimes when get to the end of the block there is no exit to the street and so you have to climb over the wall of snow. All in the day's adventure of life here in coastal Maine.

So long for now I have to traverse my way to work on a day when the sun sets just after four and darkness completely falls by five. Soon, the days will be longer and this special time of year will be nothing but a memory. Enjoy it while it lasts.