Today was the longest night in the Northern hemisphere. My alarm woke me up this morning and I could only just see the light around the windows heralding dawn. Attached is a picture from Sunday of our hills as we were having a family outing down the field at about 9.30am. The sun eventually peeked around the right hand side of the hill a few minutes later.
I feel a bit similar to you Johnson. It's been a long couple of years for me running a convenience store. Can't complain I suppose, but it does get tiring. Over the holidays we close the shop for four days in a row for the weekend and two bank holidays that Scotland has for Xmas, boxing day, and next weekend Hogmanay and an extra day to recover from that! This is my annual holiday, and I'm looking forwards to it. Hogmanay more than Xmas, because I've already started to relax a bit, and there is no self imposed agenda to the days so I can relax more and actually get other things done.
But about the 21st the frantic pace slows down. If I haven't done it, there is no time to do it (working out last minute orders, making, writing and posting Xmas
cards, selecting and sending pressies, making special truffle chocolates for our
local customers without whom the shop wouldn't exist,.... ) so at last I can also start to slow down. People tend to be in a holiday mood in the shop, exchanging small gifts and
cards, festive food is comforting and best of all from now the days start getting longer again.
When I moved here (57 degrees North) I thought the winters would get me down, but Xmas is a nice break in the middle, and if you can get through January (the plants are already starting to move even now) by middle of February I feel the difference and spring is on it's way.
Take care and try and have a quiet few days....
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