The shortest day

Before moving to the farm, the length of each day didn't have much of an effect on my life, lived as it was for the most part under the streets and in the concrete canyons of Manhattan. Now I'm aware of even ten minutes of missing daylight, and the arrival of the winter solstice -- and the coming of longer days -- is a true cause for celebration in our little corner of Alberta. A very happy solstice to all. The kids, happy little agrarians, were pleased to see that today's episode of "Little Bear" on CBC Kids was all about the solstice.

I'm not a big fan of Jethro Tull, beyond the band's name that is, but I've always liked this one:

Ring Out, Solstice Bells

Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.