| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 December 22, 2008
05:50 AM Post #5917806
| There are a total of 406 votes:
| It means that I have a long way to go before the weather gets better
(60 votes, 14%) |  |
| I'm glad, because each day gets a bit longer
(304 votes, 74%) | |
| It is our Summer Solstice, and our longest day of the year
(9 votes, 2%) | |
| There is not much difference in the seasons where I live
(19 votes, 4%) | |
| What is the Winter Solstice?
(14 votes, 3%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
Caladiums4Less
Lake Placid, FL
(Zone 9b)
December 22, 2008
05:53 AM Post #5917808
| Alright, the first vote!! I like the longer days so it's nice to get the shortest one out of the way.
Me and my caladiums don't like this time of the year...lolol... |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
Australia
December 22, 2008
06:14 AM Post #5917815
| Mmm, must be an important topic then?
It was yesterday, and I missed it! It did seem like a long day though, which gave me plenty of time for sprucing up the garden for xmas! (then the wind came and blew leaves, branches and bark everywhere) LOL
Merry xmas everyone!
Sue
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
velnita
Dayton, OH
(Zone 5b)
December 22, 2008
06:56 AM Post #5917835
| I voted that I'm glad that each day is getting longer but it is so much more than that to me. I've celebrated it as a holiday since I was a child. It's a day of hope and new beginnings. |
SongsofJoy
New Hampshire, NH
(Zone 5b)
December 22, 2008
07:01 AM Post #5917840
| I see I'm the first pessimist in the bunch, LOL. I voted it's a long time before the weather gets better. After an ice storm that knocked out power for days and then 3 significant snowstorms all within 2 weeks - I'm ready for spring! |
grampapa
Wheatfield, NY
(Zone 6a)
December 22, 2008
07:21 AM Post #5917872
| I do look forward to the days getting longer...don't care for the darkness.
Songs, I can understand you being discouraged right now. You've really been hit hard. We've had the snowstorms (supposed to end today), but were spared the ice storm. |
geraldine87
West Warren, MA
December 22, 2008
08:16 AM Post #5917934
| So sad for all that lost power and some 'still' don't have any.
Will pray we can all enjoy a warm Christmas in our homes.
Lots of snow and cold today!! Miss my time in Fl. this time of year but enjoy the
family...
Getting in garden books and planning the church garden for 'Spring'..thinking of getting
a collapsable greenhouse to help...anyone ever use one???
Merry Christmas All !! |
notmartha
Bay City, MI
(Zone 6a)
December 22, 2008
08:42 AM Post #5917959
| the 21st 2008-means my son is 25yrs old and its the day after my 15yr olds birthday!!
The days start getting longer and i cant wait for spring!!!
happy birthday to both my boys-last day of fall and first day of winter! :) |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 22, 2008
08:59 AM Post #5917987
| I voted GLAD, Glad, glad! Where I live, tomorrow will be 5 seconds longer!!! Imperceptible but it helps me anticipate the long and sweltering days of summer. Come on... summer! |
roseone33
Southern Mountains, GA
(Zone 6b)
December 22, 2008
09:08 AM Post #5918002
| The days get longer, maybe even a little warmer. And it's my birthday! |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 22, 2008
09:37 AM Post #5918060
| Happy Birthday Roseone33! Hmmm... seems like lots of birthdays at this time. Do you think there is something astrological that triggers it? There are some in our family yesterday/today too. |
drivenbonkers
Perth,, ON
(Zone 5a)
December 22, 2008
09:38 AM Post #5918065
| one day closer to starting seeds in the spring...
|
yardqueen1948
Emory, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 22, 2008
10:25 AM Post #5918208
| Time for wintersowing! |
phoebesviolets
Over the Rainbow--Oz, CT
(Zone 6a)
December 22, 2008
10:46 AM Post #5918292
| What is winter sowing?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haaaaaaaa! I agree with song, it is difficult to feel optimism in the face of 3:30 pm sunsets, successive ice/snow storms. But I have to look at the positive in order to deal w/all that. Bring on spring! |
rannveig
Hafnarfjordur
Iceland
(Zone 5a)
December 22, 2008
11:11 AM Post #5918398
| Sunrise on this shortest day of the year was at 11:22 am and sunset at 3:30 pm so I'm very glad that the days will gradually be getting longer :-)
Rann |
nifty413
North Central, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 22, 2008
12:31 PM Post #5918661
| Those of us with Seasonal Affective Disorder look forward to increased sunlight! |
Tallulah_B
(Susan) Calgary, AB
(Zone 3b)
December 22, 2008
12:35 PM Post #5918675
| longer days, please!!!! |
pajaritomt
Los Alamos, NM
(Zone 5a)
December 22, 2008
12:48 PM Post #5918720
| I always look forward to the Solstice so the days can start getting longer. I look at a chart I find on the Weather Channel to find out sunrise and sunset. At first the days are only a few seconds longer but before long it is a minute or so per day and after that a couple of minutes. Not long after that you can actaully tell the difference in day length.
I don't know if I really have SAD but, I tell you I really don't like the lack of sun in the winter. Best winters for me I get out in what sun we have -- skiing, shoveling snow, whatever I can come up with.
I am told that ancient peoples celebrated the Solstice as the return of the Sun. There is a great novel called House Made of Dawn by Scott Momaday in which he describes Native Americans running on the dawn of the solstice to get the sun and bring it back. Lovely description. |
roybird
Santa Fe, NM
December 22, 2008
04:29 PM Post #5919300
| Yes! The return of the sun. A beautiful holiday celebrated throughout the Rocky Mt. region with hula skirts, poker and special reviving drinks. Lovely, indeed. |
dalfyre
Christchurch
New Zealand
December 22, 2008
06:55 PM Post #5919702
| it was Summer solstice here in NZ - but an unseasonal cold snap meant we had to turn on the boiler at work & light the pellet fire at home...
I'm dreaming of a bright Xmas Day,
Celebrated in the downunder way
Kiwi style with sunshine & heat!
Fresh leafy salads & barbequed meat
I'll be sipping champers out in the shade
or maybe an icy cold lemonade
We'll open the presents from under the tree
And sing Xmas carols joyfully
Try to tire the kids with a trip to the park
Then put them to bed complaining 'cause it's not dark
So to those rugged up warm for winter's cold bite
Merry Christmas to all & to all a good night.
Cheers - Dalfyre
23/12/2008
|
yardqueen1948
Emory, TX
(Zone 8a)
December 22, 2008
07:37 PM Post #5919829
| Very nice poem! And Merry Christmas to you! Stay cool! |
joeswife
(Debra) Derby, KS
December 22, 2008
09:48 PM Post #5920291
| Winter is here, cold and frosty, blowing winds that chill the bones, winters' icy paths give way to longer brighter days..
Winter sowing keeps me busy, pretending that it is spring.. just can't wait to see what's next...the little seeds that sing..
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
greenbrain
Madison, IL
(Zone 6a)
December 23, 2008
12:28 AM Post #5920748
| I have a count down on my calendar of how many weeks until Spring beginning on 12/21; 13 weeks until Spring. At least, I'm not counting the days. |
pajaritomt
Los Alamos, NM
(Zone 5a)
December 23, 2008
01:43 AM Post #5920880
| greenbrain,
Look at it as the old timers did. The winter solstice is the beginning of spring. Days begin to be longer the day after the solstice. For the ancients, the winter solstice was the first day of spring. It is the weather bureau and the astronomers who gave it such a depressing name -- first day of winter. Sheesh! I see yesterday as the first day of spring! |
greenbrain
Madison, IL
(Zone 6a)
December 23, 2008
07:37 AM Post #5921118
| It's the road conditions that I have to drive on getting back & forth to work this time of year. Freezing rain is in the forecast again today and tomorrow. I'm fine with this not being my favorite time of the year. I just really welcome Spring's arrival! |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX
(Zone 8b)
December 23, 2008
12:03 PM Post #5921753
| I voted I'm glad, but I'm just glad. I love winter. Of course, down here there is precious little of it! |
randbponder
Hornick, IA
(Zone 4b)
December 23, 2008
03:07 PM Post #5922371
| Hey I voted for a long wait for spring but at least the seed catalogs are coming in. and I do have a few winter projects to work on.
Days do seem to go by very fast, so I am not really complaining. I will be busy with gardening soon enough. I guess the only reason it seems long as it takes quite a bit to keep the house warm.
|
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
December 23, 2008
06:03 PM Post #5922867
| Down for me too - very depressing. Winterwsowing is good, but I have to wait until after Christmas, which is scary for some reason. |
Susie2
Brazoria, TX
(Zone 9b)
December 23, 2008
06:35 PM Post #5922967
| ditto podster
Susie |
happytail
Covington, LA
(Zone 8b)
December 24, 2008
12:26 AM Post #5923921
| I do have SAD, I'm sure of it. Because I can almost feel my mood lifting as the warmer weather gets closer. I hate cold weather, which is why I live in Southeast Louisiana. It is 10:30pm, and it's 67 degrees outside. Makes me want to go work in the yard. |
cando1
Ozone, AR
(Zone 6a)
December 24, 2008
01:43 AM Post #5924073
| The soltice to me means a beautiful night sky with beautiful bright stars.
I'm a SAD victem too and usually get iced-snowed in here on my mountain like now. I keep busy cooking goodies,crocheting,making ornaments,breathing in seed catalogs, I have many spring flowers to look forward to the last of Februry. Depression wont hit me till after Christmas, but i will survive. |
WaterCan2
Suffolk County, NY
(Zone 7a)
December 24, 2008
12:57 PM Post #5925031
| It means the coldest month of the year is about to start for us up here in NY... January! |
Qwilter
Severn, MD//Flem Is,, FL
(Zone 9a)
December 24, 2008
03:11 PM Post #5925384
| I'm so excited when Winter officially starts. It means that Spring is next - and what I look forward to are longer days & warmer weather.
I hate being cold or going out in the cold. |
Pamgarden
Central, VA
(Zone 7b)
December 24, 2008
04:01 PM Post #5925479
| Merry Christmas to all and God bless my DG friends, each and everyone. |
avaeads
Seward, AK
(Zone 7b)
December 25, 2008
07:26 AM Post #5926722
| I'm looking forward to the gaining of more daylight. We are down to less than 6 hours of daylight right now, but I do love this time of year, as it brings me my beautiful winter birds. I feed hundreds of birds during the winter. Right now, I have around 80 pine grosbeaks, 40 pine siskins (they, along with redpolls will show up by the hundreds by January), dozens of junkos, black capped and chestnut backed chickadees, downy and hairy woodpeckers, white-winged and red crossbills, bohemian waxwings, red breasted nuthatches, several different kinds of sparrows and a few other species. I think I went through 500 lbs. of sunflower seeds last winter. I spends hours standing at the windows watching these beautiful creatures every winter. Yep...I love this time of year. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
MollyMc
Archer/Bronson, FL
(Zone 8b)
December 25, 2008
09:40 AM Post #5926899
| Call me crazy, but I did notice a slightly lighter horizon earlier in the morning the day after!!!!!
Although our freezes started a month early here and I know we haven't seen the last of it, I look forward to more open window weather.
Molly |
garden_mermaid
San Francisco Bay Ar, CA
(Zone 9b)
December 25, 2008
07:32 PM Post #5927926
| So where was the "other" answer option on this poll?
The winter solstice is a very spiritual time & special time around the world. It is the longest night, the time between the end of the outgoing year and the beginning of the incoming year. A window between the worlds. The stars are brighter (if you are stargazing away from city lights). It is a time for celebrating and feasting (fattening up for the long winter ahead), telling stories (preferably by firelight), singing songs and being cozy with family, friends and loved ones. It is also a time to remember the good times and fond memories of those who have passed, telling their stories and feeling close to their spirits/souls. We put out extra food and treats for the wildlife to help them stay warm through the long night as well. |
CapeCodGardener
Mid-Cape, MA
(Zone 7a)
December 25, 2008
11:25 PM Post #5928397
| I'm with avaeads--I love the fact that birds throng my feeders at this time of year. As garden-mermaid says, they're fattening for the cold months ahead. . . hmmm, some similarities with their human counterparts LOL. |
kathy65468
Eunice, MO
(Zone 5b)
December 26, 2008
03:35 PM Post #5929967
| I totally vote for days are going to get longer! I hate the late sunrise and early sunsets of december. Seems there is never enough time to do anything. My spirits lift when the solstice comes, even knowing the worst of winter is still ahead. |
pajaritomt
Los Alamos, NM
(Zone 5a)
December 26, 2008
04:28 PM Post #5930131
| Our day today is a full minute longer than it was on the Solstice. Yippee! |
hellnzn11
Rosamond, CA
(Zone 8b)
December 26, 2008
10:06 PM Post #5931350
| I love the longer days so I can garden after work. I really like it now because last year I winter sowed in bottles in January or February and they all did so well, In the snow, I still have things from then blooming. |
joeswife
(Debra) Derby, KS
December 27, 2008
12:27 AM Post #5931708
| oh I love tripping out to the bird feeders to feed my birds and squirrells, rain, snow, ice sleet, sun, they are going to have food and water! I just hate being cold myself, and here in Kansas, it may be 65 one day ( like today) and 22 by midnight, ( like tonight) ugh! my poor bulbs are gonna get confused! LOL |
fernman23
HENDERSON, NV
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2008
02:10 AM Post #5931933
| thanks you Garden Mermaid for that. I was wondering why no option at least leaning towards that or 'other' was available when there are obviously so many people in touch with the Earth and Seasons on a gardening site
Cheers to the new~
:D |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
December 27, 2008
03:57 PM Post #5933345
| For us it is the first day of spring which we celebrate with dancing. My personal favorite this year was my new interpretive dance 'Emergence of the Bulbous Things' 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
December 27, 2008
03:58 PM Post #5933348
| My sleeping bulbous things sent a sign that they liked it  
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
fernman23
HENDERSON, NV
(Zone 9a)
December 27, 2008
05:46 PM Post #5933720
| Mine Too :) one Hyacinth and one Narcissus...they think its SPRING! ...lol... |
ClanCampbell
(Chris) Burlington, IA
(Zone 6a)
December 27, 2008
05:49 PM Post #5933733
| LOL...dahlianut.. too funny!
I noticed that I have a couple of Iris coming up.. your dance is a Mighty Dance!
Chris |
edyhill
Knoxville, IA
(Zone 5a)
December 27, 2008
08:19 PM Post #5934220
| My daughter likes this day because it's her mother's birthday. It may be the shortest day of the year but when I reached my teens, I became aware that it was also the longest night of the year for parties. |
joeswife
(Debra) Derby, KS
December 28, 2008
03:19 PM Post #5936400
| LOL... sorry.. it is crazy here, my pottted bulbs outside thought it was spring two days ago we reached a record high of 69, and the next day it snowed.. Bleah |
garden_mermaid
San Francisco Bay Ar, CA
(Zone 9b)
December 28, 2008
08:50 PM Post #5937508
| The alternating "unseasonable" hot and cold weather has been a gardening challenge all year for us. It gets warm before the normal time, the plants start budding and them wham! a cold snap or freeze. |
ToucanOasis
Tilaran
Costa Rica
July 16, 2009
09:18 AM Post #6826023
| The wind starts blowing a week from then.BIGTIME WIND ! |
geraldine87
West Warren, MA
July 17, 2009
06:58 AM Post #6829885
| December 21st if my Mother's birthday...will be 95 this year!! |
Tau10
Federal Way, WA
November 15, 2009
02:23 PM Post #7276557
| My favorite night of the year ,the time when my partner is off for vacation. I really only like early spring then if I could skip summer until fall I'd be happy. (o: |
