2013 Winter Solstice...

"Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

Robert Frost

 

December...

While we all know December is the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar and the first month of winter what we may not recall is this 12th month derives it's name from the Latin word "decem", meaning ten. December was the tenth month of the oldest Roman calendar. So over the course of time we have changed 10 to 12 in our measurement of the months.

Here are a few December photographs you might enjoy...

Photo #1: December on Boulder Summit: The actual location is in the Kettle River Range, the summit of Boulder/Deer Creek (just east of the pass). Early winter snow is covering the alpine fir and needle less larch. A cold & misty late afternoon light has descended hiding the mountain peak.
Photo #2: December on the Kettle River: December can be a misty month if the temperatures remain near or above freezing. Wet snow falls in the cold of the night only to be warmed and give off moisture during the slightly warmer days. Makes for moody photographs.

Photo #3 Wauconda Barn: Located in Okanogan County this old barn, built in 1884 by Henry Van Brunt, sits directly behind the Wauconda Hall and is scenic in all weather. In this photograph it is captured in stark contrast to the winter’s snow and a cold, icy haze...


Photo #4: December's Truck: An old abandoned truck, home to chipmunks & small birds slowly fades into forgotten memory in the Okanogan Highlands.



May all your year long chores be completed soon bringing rest & respite to the end of the year month.
Foster



More about December...
http://www.georgewinston.com/recordings/01934-11611-2.php

December 2008
Universal Human Rights Month
6 - St. Nicholas Day (International)
7 - Pearl Harbor Day (United States)
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment (Buddhist)
8 - Eid al-adha (Islamic, Muslim)
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico)
13 - Santa Lucia Day (Sweden)
16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico)
22 - Hanukkah* (Jewish)
22 - Winter Solstice (Dec 22-Mar 20)
25 - Christmas (Christian, Roman Catholic, International)
26 - Boxing Day (Canada, United Kingdom)
26 - Kwanzaa (African-American - Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan 1, 2006)
31 - New Year's Eve (United States, International)