Happy Solstice!

[Recusant]

A wee bit early, still, happy solstice to all here at HAF.    The winter (or summer, for our Antipodean members) has officially begun, but the days will get longer (or shorter, again for the Southern Hemisphere folks).    

[Sandra Craft]

Ring Out, Solstice Bells

[xSilverPhinx]

...(or summer, for our Antipodean members)...

...(or shorter, again for the Southern Hemisphere folks)...

Nice to see you haven't forgotten us

Happy Solstice 

[The Magic Pudding]

Good to see the old Recusant back, that pretender guy didn't have the accustomed air of authority.

It's been an odd, unusually cool December here, wet too but extremes in rainfall are normal.

December minimum temperature
average this month
15.2°C
-1.5°C
long-term average
16.7°C

December maximum temperature
average this month
23.4°C
-3.2°C
long-term average
26.6°C

[Tank]

Happy pagan ritual day!

[Too Few Lions]

yeah, happy solstice to everyone. I've got friends who went to Stonehenge to see sunrise this morning, and they'll actually have got to see the Sun rise as it wasn't clouded over!

[OldGit]

Happy solstice, everyone.  I always welcome it more than Monkey, because it marks a real turning-point.

[AnimatedDirt]

Ahhhhhh!! 

[hismikeness]

At work today, a couple of my employees were mentioning how dark it was at first break. I mentioned that today is the shortest day (sunlight-wise) of the year (Northern Hemispehere-wise). I then explained why, tilt of the Earth and such. Neither one- full grown adults- had ever heard of the solstice before.

What a shame...

[Asmodean]

Yes, happy somethingorother when everyone The Asmo knows goes to visit someone The Asmo doesn't know, so The Asmo has no-one to hang out with and whine to about holidays 

[Recusant]

. . .that pretender guy didn't have the accustomed air of authority.

As much as I admire Hitchens' skillful and passionate polemics, my loyalty to Mencken was never in doubt. Although Hitchens on some occasions gave Mencken a run for his money, Mencken's command of the language and seemingly effortless ability to incorporate outrageous (and sometimes quite subtle) humor into his writing mean that as far as I'm concerned his position as the preeminent prose stylist of the 20th century remains unchallenged.

* * *

Yes, happy somethingorother when everyone The Asmo knows goes to visit someone The Asmo doesn't know, so The Asmo has no-one to hang out with and whine to about holidays  

It's stuff like that which fed my dislike of Christmas. However, I came to appreciate the solstice (and the equinox) from my solitary exploration of history and ancient cultures, as well as the realization that it is the motion and position of our planet which gives rise to such occasions. Thus, while the commemoration of the event is a human thing, its true nature is independent of humanity. I was able to enjoy the solstice & the equinox as a solitary person appreciating my relation with the universe. Sure, being around friends can enhance the appreciation, but as far as I'm concerned it's not essential. Besides, meager consolation though it may be in comparison to in-person conviviality, we have this place. I'll raise a glass and drink to your health this evening, sir.  

[Asmodean]

I'll raise a glass and drink to your health this evening, sir.  

Good post.

To health, prosperity and World Domination! Also, to HAF for providing The Asmo with something to do.

[Tank]

This place would be a lot worse off with out pudding and clay.

[AnimatedDirt]

I may not get another chance today and I likely won't be back on until Tuesday.

Happy Belated Solstice...Merry Christmas...and Happy Holidays to my HAF friends.

[Traveler]

I have friends who celebrate christmas, solstice, yule, hannuhah, kwanzaa, and probably things I haven't heard of. So I just say that I hope y'all have a delightful holiday season!!!