On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:51:17 -0800, Mark Thorson >
wrote:

>"modom (palindrome guy)" wrote:
>>
>> Winter begins and the days start growing longer. Pagan or not,
>> that's reason to celebrate.
>
>Why is it always said winter _begins_ on the solstice.
>Shouldn't the solstice be exactly dead center in the
>middle of winter? Shouldn't the first day of winter
>be exactly halfway between the fall equinox and the
>winter solstice?

when i saw 'first day of winter' on my calendar, i was dismayed also.
'christ, it's been cold enough already. you mean it's just starting?'

maybe it should be 'the beginning of the end' or at least 'the end of
the beginning.'

your pal,
blake