... On Such a Winter's Day...

[swissarmytrips]

I don't recognize that bright yellow thing in the sky. I want to stare at it. It makes me feel warm and makes me smile. It makes me want to go out and do stuff even though it's freezing cold outside

Comments

[janusmzeal]

I've always wondered why winter should start on the solstice. technically, the solstice, being the shortest day of the year and the point in earth's orbit when we point the furthest away from the sun, should be the middle of winter.

so looking it up, sure enough, solstice was traditionally known as midwinter. meanwhile, in many cultures, winter actually begins near the end of October or beginning of November, and is variously known as Samhain or 立冬 (lìdōng).

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_term
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_days
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-quarter_day

[swissarmytrips]

According to Wiki:

"Astronomically, winter starts with the winter solstice and ends with the vernal equinox, though in popular usage the word 'winter' is more often defined by cold weather."

According to my fashion sense tingling:

Winter starts with the first day I have to wear gloves and ends when I can wear shorts and sandals.

[janusmzeal]

two seasons a year... that's like Chicago!