Today is the shortest day of the year. We have reached the bottom of the rolling hill that goes from winter to summer and back again every year. Tomorrow we begin the climb upward. For gardeners, this is an important milestone.
I have several birthdays of loved ones to celebrate in December. But I quietly celebrate on December 21, too. How do I celebrate? I might send a message to fellow gardeners who are also celebrating the day, tweet the “holiday” to all my followers, and perhaps spend an hour or so perusing a favorite garden catalog or website.
Tomorrow, the day will be a second or two longer; the day after, perhaps another second more. It will take a while for the lengthening days to be noticeable, but by mid-January, a mere four weeks away, we’ll all be able, if we pay attention to these things, to notice that the sun is not going down quite so soon.
In mid-February, though the snow might be two feet deep, the sky will tell the true story — spring has won this battle.
By early to mid March, no matter what the weather, it will be time for the red-winged blackbirds to return and the spring peepers to begin their annual mating calls.
Despite the dreary weather outside, I am delighted with this day. I hope you are, too.
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