It's WINTER! #phenology?

Today's temperature got up to the mid-forties where we were. In fact, we spent over an hour in a gazebo meeting with someone. It got chilly, but remained tolerable. Winter in the North Country is not supposed to be like this. It's almost as if the climate were warming or something.

full moon setting, December 2016

Photo by J. Harrington

Despite the unseasonable temperatures, today is the beginning of meteorological Winter. Did you see this morning's waxing gibbous moon? It was beautiful and looked like the moon was wearing a jaunty cap that covered the 6% that wasn't brightly shining. Tomorrow start's December's full moon phase, known to the Anishnaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) asmanidoo-gizisoons (small spirits moon or Little Spirit Moon). According to Muskrat magazine, it is "a time of healing. By receiving both vision of the spirits and good health, we may walk the Red Road with purest intentions, and we can share this most positive energy with our families and friends for the good of all." However, the same article claims the Little Spirit Moon occurs in November, and December is Big Spirit Moon. At the end of the article is the note "The 13 Grandmother Moon teachings are from “Kinoomaadiewinan Anishinabek Bimaadinzinwin, Book Two. Author Arlene Berry." We will have to see if we can get a look at that and learn something about the differences in moon naming patterns. We'll report back when or if we learn anything.

In very slightly less than two weeks, we'll get to enjoy the Geminid Meteor Shower on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. Local phenology events this month are pretty sparse. We'll poke around over the weekend and see what else, other than the upcoming holidays, there is to watch for.

                     December

By Roger Pfingston

Lodged tight for days

in a corner of the wall,

ladybug can’t resist the tree,

crawling now over cold

light, ceramic fruits,

tinsel lamb and sleigh.

Flies out of the tree

to try rum cake on a

plate of caroling cherubs.

Ends up on her back,

wings flared, silly girl

spinning over the kitchen floor.

Later, between the blinds,

tiny bump of silhouette:

a stillness against the falling snow.

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