2026 · National Day Calendar

National Cuddle Up Day 2026

January typically has some of the coldest days of the year, so what better way to stay warm and reap the health benefits of cuddling on National Cuddle Up Day? Whether it’s a three-dog night (a night so cold it takes three dogs to cuddle up with to stay warm) or only slightly chilly, there are multiple benefits to cuddling with a human canine or other pet.

Cuddling releases oxytocin. This hormone alone has tremendous health benefits. Besides giving us warm and fuzzy feelings, oxytocin reduces pain. So when the cold has made those muscles and joints ache, cuddling can help reduce those aches and pains. Oxytocin also helps reduce heart disease, blood pressure, stress, and anxiety. Of course, insurance carriers would probably cover cuddling if it weren’t free since it’s such a huge health benefit!

:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-cuddle-up-day

2026 · Winter

Rainy & Warm Weather On New Year’s Day 2022

The new year began with fog, rain, and temperatures in the mid-50s (12℃) here in the Naugatuck River Valley. Since there was no wind, it felt warm outside. This allowed me to capture photos of some raindrops, seedpods, and small mushrooms. We’d better enjoy these temperatures. Tomorrow, it is supposed to freeze at night. And there might also be some snow in the forecast for this upcoming week.

– 01/01/2022 –

2025 · Winter

Nor’Easter Winter Storm “Abraham” 2025

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The Nor’Easter “Abraham” gave us over a foot of snow last night and into the morning. Since Kevin and Sara were in Florida, my neighbor came over with his ATV plow to clean up most of our driveway. I still need to shovel the walkway, spread some sand, and clean the car in case of an emergency. We are supposed to get some ice rain tomorrow evening. In the meantime, I enjoy the beautiful view of the Winter scape. It’s definitely Winter in New England.

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2025 · National Day Calendar · Winter

Flake Appreciation Day 2025

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Snowflakes are a subject of thought and appreciation on Flake Appreciation Day. The event is celebrated around December when snow begins to fall in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Snowflakes can be classified into one of 35 different shape groups based on their size and shape. When water vapor in the clouds condenses into ice crystals, snowflakes spontaneously appear in nature. Snowflakes’ shapes are influenced by elements such as dust, temperature, humidity, and air currents.

There are different numbers of water molecules in snowflakes, which cause them to form a crystal pattern. Due to diffuse reflection, snowflakes appear white, even though they are composed of clear ice. Snowflakes are usually studied by putting a chemical compound on a glass plate and allowing a flake to land on the plate. The chemical compound covers the snowflake and hardens. The snowflake leaves its shape behind after it melts.

The history of snowflakes was greatly influenced by Wilson Bentley. He was born in 1865 in Jericho, Vermont. His work is significant as he helped discover that no two snowflakes are exactly alike. He used a type of photography that uses microscopes called photomicrography to take pictures of 5,000 snowflakes. Bentley published articles and books about his findings and donated some of his photographs to the Smithsonian Institution. He was the world’s leading snowflake expert and was referred to as ‘The Snowflake Man’ until he died in 1931.

:https://nationaltoday.com/flake-appreciation-day/

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2025 · Our Forest · Our Yard · Winter

First Snow of The Season 2025/2026

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First, the meteorologists mentioned 3-6 inches of snow for our area. But the weather system stayed further north. We were lucky; we got about an inch.

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2025 · Christmas · Winter

Hello, December 2025!

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Wintry mornings wrapped in white,
Evening, calm and still,
Snowflakes dancing all around,
Sled rides down a hill,
Gatherings with loved ones —
Such a pleasure to remember —
all memories and special gifts
That comes with each December.

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2025 · Autumn · Winter

Goodbye, November 2025!

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When two seasons collide: this is what it looked like in December 2013.

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