Today is the shortest day of the year which means tomorrow we start gaining daylight. HOORAY! For me, the winter solstice is the most significant day of this season. Why? Because the day always gives me a much-needed emotional boost, and this year’s solstice is especially welcome because there’s sunshine. Not only that, these lovely roses are blooming next to our front porch.
December 21, 2025
How could I feel anything but hopeful as I gaze upon those sun-kissed blooms?
I’m documenting my hope and optimism here because we’ve been swamped with rain (with much more in the forecast thanks to the atmospheric river) and have learned our aging roof has multiple leaks that are causing widespread microbial growth. BOO HISS! We’re gathering bids for a full roof replacement we hope/need to get in the very near future–all we need are two consecutive days of clear weather to get started. I’ve got a new mantra: Rain, rain go away . . . and please don’t come back until our roof is intact!
Happy Solstice, everyone!
Tracy Abell 
So glad you can find beauty and hope amid the gloom
Hope you can find a contractor to save your rooms.
You bring out the poet in me!😁
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Thank you, Amy, for the good wishes + the smile about your rhyming comment!
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Oh dear. Two days of sunny weather is not much to ask for. Hope your wish is granted.
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And they don’t even need to be sunny days, we just need two non-rain days in a row! Thank you much for the good thoughts, Tracy.
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You’re welcome.
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Happy Solstice to you, too, Tracy! All the best in replacing your roof.
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Thank you, Rosaliene. Happy to say we had a little sunshine this morning but now it’s raining again. Ugh. Happy Solstice to you and yours!
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The rains will be hitting us Tuesday evening. I’ve already moved my water-sensitive potted plants to a safe place.
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I was thinking about your beautiful garden plants, wondering how they’re faring. Glad you’re all prepared for the rains to come!
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🙂 ❤
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Beautiful
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Thank you much! 🙂
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Today the sun rose at 8:45 and set atv4:30. A rather short window of daylight. That’s the parallel that Toronto is on. When I lived in Edmonton I definitely found the daylight hours too short. An a teacher I would see the students arrive in the dark and go home in the dark. After 5 winters I’d had enough and moved more southerly. At least southerly I Canadian terms.
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Yesterday the sun rose here at 8:00 and set at 4:20, so we’ve got about an hour more daylight than you. Edmonton sounds too dark for me and it would be VERY hard to go to school in the dark and depart in the dark. Ugh. We used to live in Anchorage and that became too hard after six years. Glad you have more daylight these days, Jasper. 🙂
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That’s getting rather close to the arctic circle.
I was north of the arctic circle in Norway at one time. It was August so we basically experience no real night time. A lingering sunset and the bright sky at 1 am.
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I’ve never experienced it to that extent and think it would be very cool! I remember summer evenings when we’d be out in the yard and think, “Oh, we should probably go in to eat dinner” and then realize it was 11:00. HA
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I’m certainly looking forward to longer days! I hope the rain has let up enough to begin your roof project, Tracy.
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Happy New Year, Becky! Hope the longer days are giving you a boost. Our new roof was completed yesterday and now it’s free to rain again! 🙂
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Yay, for the new roof! Yes, the longer days along with warming temps are very welcome. Happy New Year!
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I was just thinking of your lovely garden plants and hoping they’re doing well. Great to see you’re all set for the upcoming rains. Thank for sharing
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Garden is thriving with all the rain. Thank you much!
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