daylight

The sun sets today in Madison at 4:40. On a sunny day like today, it seems that it sets later than that (and conversely, on a cloudy day, it seems like darkness comes earlier). To the person, everyone I've talked to about the lengthening days is thrilled with the slide toward more daylight. But of course, just within the continental United States, that lengthening of the day varies. The sun sets today in Tampa Florida at 5:51. In Madison, we wont get to 5:51 until February 24! By then, Tampa's sunset will be at 6:27.

Hey, did you notice something? Whereas now, Tampa's sunset is one hour and ten minutes later, on February 24, we will be a scant 36 minutes apart! And of course, ultimately, we will beat that darn Tampa! Indeed, on May 12, which this year is a Sunday and Mother's Day, we will have caught up! Sunsets in both Madison and Tampa will be at 8:10 p.m. then. Thereafter, our days will be longer!

We are a curious lot: we are competitive, possibly a little vengeful ("that darn Tampa!??" really, Nina?), but on the upside -- ever full of hope.

And what did I do with those extra 15 minutes of daylight (because on Madison's darkest day, in December, the sun set at 4:25)? Honestly, I loved just gawking at the wind playing with the farmette trees. It's sunny today and still a bit mild, but I am not pushing myself to be very active just yet. There's a lot of couch time in the morning. That is, after the animals are fed...






And breakfast is behind us.






In the afternoon, I pick up Snowdrop. A little tired, a little surprised by the strong winds outside, a lot more inclined to read many many chapters of books, with an occasional burst of playful energy...






And always, with her lovely, generous smile coming through to warm the heart and brighten the spirit...





Tomorrow we get a taste of winter. Tonight, I'm just glad we have had fifteen more minutes of daylight.