Comments on: Call for Submissions: Journaling the Apocalypse

By: william

william — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:35:16 +0000

Hey guys
And in NZ it’s a different story again, weather-wise. Travelled through Japan a few years ago. There was an official opening day for the beach season, and no one dared go for a swim before that date, no matter how hot it got. Didn’t stop this Kiwi ;-) Oh, and I have 50 years experience . . .

By: vicki

vicki — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:04:49 +0000

OK Dave…”to each his own,” as they say.
i live in an environment and altitude very similar to yours and my observations over the last 30+ years dictate that my personal change from summer to autumn begins much later than September 1st…if I am to base it on my own psyche and my own biological response…all having to do with everything you mention: daylight hours, temperature changes, and the placement of the stars and moon and sun in the sky.

And 35-45 years ago, when i lived high up in the Rocky Mountains, i had the same experience: autumn came late in the month…when it was very, very unlikely that the thermometer would get anywhere near 90 or above and the morning glories got all confused and began flowering at all weird times of day.

As you say: it is my own personal cultural construct.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:28:46 +0000

Sorry, Vicki – I beg to differ. Acccording to the weather experts at Penn State’s School of Meteorology, here where I live in Western Pennsylvania the beginnings of the seasons fall right around the first of the month in which a solstice or equinox occurs. This is based on average temperatures, length of daylight, and other measures, and it jibes with my own observations based on 35 years of residence in the area. Please remember that seasons are cultural constructs greatly influenced by local and regional geographical realities, and vary in timing, in name, and in number as one travels the planet. I grant you that this notion that they have “official” beginnings on the sosltices and equinoxes is widespread among inhabitants of the northern temperate zone, but I still think it’s wrong.

By: johemmant

johemmant — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:21:52 +0000

Cool theme, I like it. Should make for great reading.

By: vicki

vicki — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:03:38 +0000

sorry
but i can’t help myself from correcting you:
autumn has not begun
not according to the moon, the sun.
School year, yes
but the harvest will continue for some time yet
and while temps are cooler and kids are back in school
it is not officially autumn until some time on Sept 22
(the farmer’s almanac is not handy)