I propose a realignment of the seasons. Why do we celebrate “midsummer” on June 21, the day we designate as the FIRST DAY of summer? Isn’t December too late for fall to be sticking around? Wouldn’t it be more sensible (and hopeful) if Groundhog Day really was the threshold of spring? By August 7, daylight is visibly leaking away from the evenings. Birds are fledged; crickets are in full chorus; harvest time is burgeoning. The feel of autumn and school and a retreat from summertime’s life explosions permeates the atmosphere. It’s time for change. I propose our solstices mark mid-winter and mid-summer, and the equinoxes mark mid-spring and mid-fall. Doesn’t it make sense for the pivotal light shifts to fall in the heart of each season? Let’s move seasonal turnovers back by about six weeks: Winter: Nov 7-Feb 7 Spring: Feb 7-May7 Summer: May 7-Aug7 Fall: Aug 7-Nov 7 Thoughts? My 60th year in 60,000 words Day 346: 150 words, TOTAL = 57,020; 2,980 remaining |
AuthorRobin Clifford Wood is a writer and writing teacher. She lives in central Maine with her husband and dogs, loves to be outdoors, and enjoys ever-expanding horizons through her grown children and their multi-species families. Archives
June 2022
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