Hello, dear wordsmiths. Greetings from DownUnder, where it’s beastly cold at present.
In the (Australian-based) facebook photography group I’m in, one of our themes this month is Winter. I’ve been posting pics of warm slippers and fleecy boots; my cat burrowing under a blanket or lying next to the oil heater; an overcast sky….
How is it that Winter Solstice, which (in this Hemisphere) we had
last weekend, marks mid-winter and the shortest day, yet the weather
gets colder and colder for the next two months? That doesn’t make sense to
me.
I trust all you Northern Hemispherians are enjoying the warmth of the sun instead – hopefully not too hot, but the perfect temperature – while I long for the return of a long Aussie summer. (Preferably without fires and finally free of COVID. Well, we can dream).
Meanwhile, I’ll hope to be warmed by your wonderful writings – old or new, poetry or prose (prose 369 words maximum, excluding title) and on any topic of your choosing. Bring it on!
You know the drill: link to your post on Mister Linky below, just one link per person, and we’d love it if you link back to us on your post and also drop a little comment here to say hello or tell us about your weather or anything else you’d like to share.
Heads-up: Next Wednesday Rommy will invite us to write on Drawing a blank / Blank slate / Blank space / ‘Blank’et statement. (You can change the tense or make it plural, but please include some form of one of these phrases in your piece.)
Happy Sunday folks, and happy writing!
Happy weekend to you all!
ReplyDeleteI decided to share a poem full of Nordic mythology and Nordic midsummer light.
I find that mismatch between the Solstice and the coldest (or warmest) time of the year a bit odd. Although I have more than once commented that up here it might be a blessing. Don't know how we would cope with the worst cold if it actually coincided with the day long dark.
If I remember correctly the reason has to do with the time it takes to chill/heat the planet, and the tilt of her axis.
Ah, thanks for that explanation. If I don't fully grasp it, at least it's nice to know there is a cause, which some people can make sense of.
DeleteDay long dark!! I think I should stop complaining about our relatively short, mild winters.
Good day, poets!
ReplyDeleteOver here at the equator, at this time of the year, the weather should be hot and sunny. But it is not, for the past few days have been raining or with overcast skies.
Hmmm, that raises some fascinating questions for me. If Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons, what happens at the Equator? Perhaps there is very little difference between the seasons, the closer one gets to it.
DeleteI linked to a piece of mine inspired by the record temperatures world wide, further spurned on by the 110 degree weather we are experiencing in Seattle - the highest temperature here in recorded climate history began! Human arrogance is boiling over.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can stay cool and hydrated, Rob.
Delete'Human arrogance is boiling over' is not only all too true, but a great line. Maybe for your next poem?
DeleteNo, not enjoying the weather. Like Rob, I'm in the heat of the western US (Southern Oregon) and it's very hot. 104 yesterday, with today and tomorrow forecast to be 111 and 112. Not records like Rob's, but way too hot. Plus, it's fire season.
ReplyDeleteThat's really hot. Stay cool, Lisa. I've been reading/listening about the worries when it comes to the power grid and the use of AC. I hope it doesn't become a problem.
DeleteWay too hot indeed! May you get relief soon.
DeleteThings are hot around here. Not as hot as in the case of Rob and Lisa, but in the 90s.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting, Rosemary!
And happy readings, everyone.
I guess non-extreme temperatures are a bit too much to hope for these days, sadly.
DeleteMy daughter, who lives in Oregon, is having your Aussie summer, Magaly. It's to be 113 degrees there today - some 30 degrees above their normal! Hopefully temps will normalize soon!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! 🤞🏽
DeleteEven our Aussie summers don't usually get THAT hot. (I'm glad to say.) Though what is 'usual' now, who knows? I echo your hope, Bev.
DeleteAfter the solstice I was driving back through the hills, night and the moon hanging, mist, and a magical peace.
ReplyDeleteLove your poem. Magical peace' indeed.
DeleteA warm welcome to P&SU! Hope you'll join us again.
(We have another Jim who participates regularly and leaves comments here – admittedly he uses a capital J, but maybe you could identify yourself as 'jim w' or something to avoid the possibility of confusion?)
Hi Rosemary, we are in for more weather extremes this year. We've had extreme heat last summer, extreme winter this year, extremes in precipitation, extremes in drought areas, and extremes in killings, both mass killing and in domestic affairs killing.
ReplyDeleteThink of a pendulum regulated clock, if it swings further in one direction then the opposite side will go higher too. Nudged by outside influences, like atmosphere, carbon emissions, amounts of warming melting, cooling freezes, etc. all added and mixed. Even tree cutting in the jungles.
Crazier and crazier the world is going.
Oh yes, old folk staying alive longer too! Fewer babies being born?
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p.s. Also, thank you for hosting your week ending columns. They are always most interesting. I generally don't post a writing, my weekend activity has my other blog meme stuff writing as well as Sunday Muse on my P&P Little Place.
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It's nice of you to drop in and have a quick chat anyway, Jim.
DeleteYes, I have now become aware of the extreme heat you are experiencing in America. Your pendulum analogy makes sense – and I wish it didn't.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
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