November 01, 2009

The Reign Of Dark Days.

November has arrived. This month is feared and disliked by many Scandinavians, as it signifies the onset of the shortest days of the year. By now, our daylight has decreased by eight hours since the summer solstice and this loss of light is clearly palpable. Almost a whole day has been taken from us and we are still about three hours short of the absolute record which will occur in about two months.

I personally do not dislike November. It is a somewhat overlooked month I feel. To me these following thirty days equal a period of anticipation. There will be a certain joy in the air as the holiday season begins. The lack of light will very soon be compensated by the multitude of Christmas and decoration lights that will line the streets and illuminate the stores. The air will carry an atmosphere of happiness and laughter, despite the uninviting feel of stormy, very dark days, bare trees and lack of sunshine.

Below, yet again, my traditional birch tree update. You will notice the pile of wood in front of it is missing, as my handy Irishman cut it all up for me and it is now stored securely, drying up for next years fire wood.
The tree itself is now completely ready for its winter sleep. By each day, it looses more of its copper colored leaves and my guess is that it will stand completely bare before the end of this month.

25 comments:

Sandi McBride said...

As they say, to everything there is a season...I love each season for what it offers...and am glad to see the back of each one when it's gifts are depleted...selfish, huh?
Lovely tree!
Sandi

Unknown said...

We already have lots of Christmas decorations in the stores. soon very cold and snow will blanket us. but also before you know it........Spring will be here!! love visiting your place and reading your wise words.

Maria said...

It is nice that your man took care of the logs for you. The Christmas season will soon light up the dark days of winter for you!!!

Stacey J. Warner said...

I look forward to reading your upcoming posts as the change in daylight and season will bring a certain air to them, I am guessing.

The tree is most beautiful, so vibrant. It dazzles.

much love

MsTypo said...

You've got a good man there! :) Firewood from your own trees is such a nice treat. :) :)

Keith said...

Hey there. Great post as usual. Hope you've had a cool weekend. I had a fantastic Halloween here. Take care. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

This balance - the atmosphere of happiness - that you create and share over the winter months is lovely.

Today we set our clocks back one hour for "Daylight Savings". One of Benjamin Franklin's less popular ideas. I'll be posting a picture of my "clock" tomorrow - I hope you can pop by to see it. I enjoy reading and seeing what is going on at your house! Take care.

:)
Zuzu

FASHION CHALET said...

Yeah, I'm in Raleigh. I know Durham. I used to visit Charlotte quite often as well. =)

How was your weekend, dear?



x

sprinkles said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sprinkles said...

You have a very nice Irishman to cut your wood up for you!

Beautiful tree, suprising how much the color changed in just a matter of days.

Brian Miller said...

for me november is the beginning of a parade of family you only see once a year....almost like homecoming.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Lucky enough you are with your man!

DeeDee1Whoa said...

Hey there! You still haven't returned the favor, you visited me, but you're still not following me over Google... Hopefully you will. Bye!

Shelly's Style Shop said...

I can't wait for all the Christmas decorations and lights. The weather has been so nice...I love it! The day did seem short today since we had to change the hour and it was dark by 6pm, but it was a very nice and relaxing day.

I am looking forward to this month and everything that comes with it. ;-) I hope you have a wonderful November.

BTW...I love the pictures of your birch tree. The colors are changing beautifully...it is ready for its winter sleep.

xoxo,Shelly

Hilary said...

Beautiful photos as always, Z. I hope that you and your Irishman share many, MANY fires together with that wood.

Holly said...

I too miss the light as the days get shorter, but I don't have to deal with the storms as you do. I recognize the feeling in the air that you speak of as the Holidays approach. It is almost an electricity,...an excitement that is tangible. I am glad that you have that to look forward to. (I hope that you get to look forward to seeing your Irishman again over the holidays as well.;);))

I can't believe how much your tree has changed in color over only one week!! It really is beautiful.

Nessa said...

I look at November as the beginning of a new year. The earth is in its gestation period before everything comes to life again. Its a good time thinking and contemplating.

Book Review #5 - Merle's Door

Zuzana said...

=Sandi,
not selfish at all, I agree with you completely.;) Always so glad when you stop by.;) xo

=Doreen,
and I so love when you stop by.;) We experience the same here, within weeks the first snow might arrive. The stores are also getting ready for the holidays as well.;) xo

=gaelikaa,
thank you for the kind words; yes the Irishman is a strong, tall, handy and a very handsome man.;) xo

=stacey,
I will do my best to remain optimistic in my winter posts as well.;) Always happy when you stop by.;) xo

=Cairo,
I agree, both on the wood and the man.;) Your kind comments always warm my heart.;) xo

=Keith,
glad to hear that you enjoyed your weekend, and thank you for your kind words.;)

=Zuzu,
that was such a kind comment; I am glad you enjoy your visits here. Of course I will stop by.;) And I agree on the time change, it causes havoc with my inner clock, but at least this time around we gained one hour.;) xo

=Erika,
my weekend was great, thank you.;) Love the new profile picture and I am so sure you know why.;) xoxo

=sprinkles,
yes, he is a very good man and my everything.;) I am glad you enjoy the colour change in the tree that will most likely soon stand devoid of all its foliage.;) xo

=Brian,
ah, in some way you are blessed to have your family visiting.;) Family, after love, is the most important thing of all, enjoy it.;)

=Phillip,
yes, I was lucky, even if it was short.;) Thank you for always finding the time to stop by.;)

=DeeDee,
thank you for stopping by.;)

=Shelly,
so glad when you visit; I agree with you on the sentiments of the beauty of the next month.;) And I am so happy you too enjoy the update on my beautiful birch tree.;) xo

=Hilary,
ah, I so hope you are right.;) What a nice thing to say; your visits always warm my heart dear friend.;) xo

=Holly,
I know you too are not fond of the winter month and luckily you do not have to suffer from it anymore.;)
You are always so kind in your comments - I too hope that in a couple months I will see him again.;) xoxo

=Nessa,
what a great sentiment, I like your way of looking at things.;) xo

United Studies said...

You have such an interesting life. You really do.

I am not looking forward to these dark days of winter, though I am glad that the sun is a little brighter when trying to get Emma up for school. :-)

Lynne said...

I am missing Sweden a bit. We spent 2 years there recently and I just loved the twinkling lights through winter, so cheery. My husband however found the winters too long and dark. It's a lovely country.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I am enjoying gazing at the golden yellows of your October photo and the brilliant orange of November 1st.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Oh yes I know this feeling - there is something about November I just don't like; today is yet another wet, windy and dismal day. I love December though, my birthday month and of course - Christmas!!

Jeanne x

Zuzana said...

=Jacki,
you are so kind, I am not sure how interesting my life is.;) I hope you can get through the dark mornings, lets help each other surviving the winter.;) xo

=Lynne,
welcome! How interesting that you lived in Sweden!;) I grew up there. I think I can follow why your husband disliked the winters.;) Thank you so much for stopping by.;)

=Jill,
thank you, glad you like the updates.;) I think this was the most brilliant one, I am afraid the tree looks more bare by each passing day... xo

=Jeanne,
but not too worry, soon the holidays are here.;) Always so happy when you stop by, sorry that you are not feeling too well.
xoxo

Claus said...

What a positive attitude towards a "dark" month! It's always better to find the positive among all the things that not always make you happy. That's how we survive! November is also a month of change on this side. The changes are not as drastic as in Scandinavia, but they are pretty palpable. There is colder temperatures, to start with, and wind, and around 1/2 to an hour less of sunlight...or at least not as strong a light I should say. They say November will be the start of a very cold dry season (first part is cold, the second, a very hot one), so I'm curious how low the temperatures will get. Happy November ahead!

Zuzana said...

=Claudia,
how interesting that you too feel some changes in the weather pattern comes November. I read your post yesterday about the heavy rain. Here we are having a bad storm right now and I almost dis not sleep last night as it was so terribly windy.
xoxo