A bleak midwinter post

Usually, your humble pundit does not do personals at Orphans but I just had to today, once I saw Yorkshire Wolds Weather's magnifipic at his X site, gained his permission:

Think my time in Russia reinforced the mindset on the magnificence of winter, when nature takes her rest, everything becomes calmer, quieter, the hush of introspection usually sets in, not even the politicians can overcome the festive, yet soft mood.

Of late, I've been going back over last century, plus this one ... when events happened, what generation was in control at the time, what age I was, what music and film was popular ... for example, I have a 1941 B film up at the blog just now ... and one thing quite clear is that from 1946, the generations do go in 17 year cycles, give or take ... 1946, 63, 80, 97, 2014.

But it's only today that I realised just how much Midwinter's Day or the Solstice or whatever you call it ... through to the day after Orthodox Christmas/Pascha, which is also the day after our Twelfth Night, maybe even the following weekend which is Orthodox New Year ... just how much it means in my heart and soul ... and it all kicks off today. I feel I'm at winter's gate today, with so many festive things still to follow.

In Russia, we used to drive to the forest, get out the BBQ and have prepared, marinaded shasliki and salads, plenty of imbibing going on as well ... even in minus 12C, it did not feel cold with the winter sun on the carpet of glistening snow, little creatures poking their noses out to see what the commotion was about ... miles of silver birch trees in each direction. I do miss that.

But Britain also has fine walks, views, food and drink ... I'm thinking British winter cuisine is unsurpassed. Of course, North America is the goods too, esp. the leaf-peeping. Plus the Antipodes when their turn comes around.

The downside for me is that this is the shortest day and I do not welcome the lengthening ... sun going down before 4 p.m. is magic. Of course spring alleviates that ... new life, new shoots ... everyone likes that after the slush, but not everyone lives for the winter. I do.  My season ... maybe yours?

Our Steve across the way ran this song yesterday: