The Days Are Getting Longer
by Chase Buffington
After the winter solstice in December, we gain 2 minutes of daylight until mid-February, when the gains turn to 3 minutes. In late April to early May, we gain 2 minutes per day again until we reach the summer solstice in late June.
What does this mean for our lives? Well, for those who need vitamin D in the shape of sunshine, we get to spend a little more time outside! Family, friends, and our communities, this is something to celebrate. If you have never created a calendar of games, “The Days Are Getting Longer” is a fresh educational take on learning about our solstice. That new calendar you received in December may have cute new puppies or national parks each month; I forgot we use our phones nowadays. For this purpose, it might even work better.
Every ten days, mark a reminder or place it on your calendar to do something fun with family and friends.
Suggestions:
Take a walk together, get outside, and enjoy not driving home in the dark.
Bike ride, find a favorite location, or map out a new one for a quick ride.
Wash your vehicle; it seems silly, but it can be fun or at least quick if you do it together.
Let the alert remind you to read a story about how springtime is coming; if you have kids, this is a great way to get ready for the growing season!
Have several seed planting sessions, some inside and eventually outside.
Make a random gift for someone in your community about how the days are getting longer. A little positive energy can put a smile on the faces of others, especially in early winter when a few of us need it most.
Pick up litter at a nearby park.
Artwork session with finger paint.
You probably should mow the lawn before the summer solstice.
No matter what you decide to place on your calendar reminders, the chance to acknowledge “The Days Are Getting Longer” is important to give thanks to the little things. Adding the little things, we can keep our day-to-day work, family schedule, the hustle and bustle of life, and all the other good bits of chaos in check. All of us at E3 Washington hope you have a wonderful 2024. If you can let us know what extra 20 or 30-minute activity you create, please tag us on FaceBook (@E3 Washington) or Instagram (@e3washington); we would love to hear from you.
