"There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle" – Robert Alden
The end of daylight savings time came as a shock to me. Perhaps I’m still not used to it coming so late: it used to end the last Sunday of October. A quick Google search informs me that the switch to the first Sunday in November happened in 2005. I guess I’m not as graceful a pivoter in my golden years.
I mentioned the shock to my therapist who reported he’s had many clients struggling with the evenings darkening sooner. It seemed like the dusk on November 6th was more than an hour earlier than the evening before.
Noticing a smattering of multicolored holiday lights springing up in mid-November, I decided to join the movement: I installed strings of lights on our shrubs soon afterwards. As always, I'll keep the lights on at least until Epiphany (Three Kings Day, Old Christmas (Amish), Little Christmas (what my mother called it): January 6th).
Light is so important to our mood. Light boxes are one aid. Lighting my living quarters certainly affects my mood. For years, in order to be energy-efficient, we had compact flourscent bulbs throughout the house. In cold weather they warm up slowly (we keep our house in the low 60s) and don’t cast full light immediately. The newer LED lights we’ve installed are more efficient and respond immediately. As the winter solstice nears, I find myself flipping every switch on in my 'new' kitchen, except for the sink disposall.
Our sun makes life on earth possible. It also makes life more bearable. (Fun fact: lowly fungi play a vital role as well. Practically unseen, their tiny tendrils transport nutrients and water from long distances to the plants’ roots. In exchange, plants share the sugars produced through photosynthesis.)
As the days continue to shorten this month, I hope you can take time to find some extra light, in as simple an action as turning on the kitchen light, enjoying the holiday displays, or walking in the sunshine.
I love the New England tradition of putting lit candles in windows. A symbol of welcome and warmth, they serve to push the darkness away.
(Another fun fact: Robert Alden (1836-1911) was a Congregationalist minister knew Laura Ingels Wilder. She used him as a character in two of her Little House on the Prairie books.)
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