Tag: seasons

Japan has 72 microseasons and why having more than 4 seasons is a good thing

lilacs
Right now lilac season is starting in Toronto. Shouldn’t that be a true season in it’s own right?

When you think of it, it makes sense that we have more than four seasons. Heck according to this piece, Japan has 72 microseasons. Meanwhile in Canada, we often joke about having many microseasons, too, and they go like this:

  1. WINTER (brutal cold)
  2. fool’s spring (don’t get used to it)
  3. second winter / bleak midwinter (oh well)
  4. spring of deceptions (is spring here? As if!)
  5. third winter (snowdrop flower season, snow melts fast, weird snowfalls in April)
  6. pollen season (lilac season, tulip season)
  7. SPRING (cool but green)
  8. Nice summer (perfect weather)
  9. SUMMER (brutal heat)
  10. false fall (where’s the sweaters?)
  11. second summer (that’s better)
  12. AUTUMN (leaves turn color and fall)
  13. Lovely holiday winter (not too cold)

I think we could easily get new names for all those seasons not capitalized.

Kurt Vonnegut took a stab at this and came up with six seasons: the original four plus two more, Locking and Unlocking. I think that is an improvement on the original four, but that’s just a start.

One good reason to have more seasons is that they remind you to appreciate the changes in the world around you. Another good reason is that it breaks down the seasons that can be difficult (winter for many, summer for me) and helps you get through them. Whatever the reason, having seasons based on the climate and less on solistices and equinoxes makes more sense.

I hope we get more seasons in Canada. For now we will have to stick with the four official ones and the many unofficial ones. Now go and enjoy the lilacs.

 

 

Summer is overrated

I have always thought that myself. And now I find out that I am not alone. As this article below says, “Most people welcome long summer days. And then there are the haters, who loathe the unending light that doesn’t give way to night until it’s almost time for bed.” I would not say I am a hater; I’ve become reconciled to it. And early summer can be pleasant. But the most extreme days of summer are no more welcome to me than the extreme days of winter. Both extreme days are to be endured more than enjoyed.

If you too are not in love with summer, you might enjoy this: www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/summer-means-a-parade-of-long-sunny-days-and-its-actually-the-worst/2019/06/23/27868ac6-92a1-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html

Three winters (a way to think about the difficult season)

There are three winters within each winter season. The first, early winter, can actually be lovely. The temperatures are cold but not terribly so. Often you can go out with no gloves or hat. If you celebrate Christmas, there is all that to look forward to.

Next comes the bleak midwinter, sometime in January and lasting through until the end of February. This is the cold heart of winter. You need to psychologically strengthen yourself to get through this part, but if you learn how to make the most of it, it passes quickly, like all time.

Finally there is late winter. Winter falters then: days lengthen, ice melts, the earliest of flowers – snowdrops! – appear. You can already taste spring, and summer seems possible and not just a cruel memory.

Winter seems long, but each of the three winters is short. They whip by like speed skaters or tobagganers.

(Originally written on my Blackberry and published on Posterous on December 11 2011, 9:54 PM)