These Things: It’s Solstice and Santa’s Been Eating Shrooms
Looking toward the light. (Boise River, 12.19.2018)
Sounds of the Winter
Sounds of the winter too,
Sunshine upon the mountains—many a distant strain
From cheery railroad train—from nearer field, barn, house
The whispering air—even the mute crops, garner’d apples, corn,
Children’s and women’s tones—rhythm of many a farmer and of
flail,
And old man’s garrulous lips among the rest, Think not we give
out yet,
Forth from these snowy hairs we keep up yet the lilt.
-- Walt Whitman
Winter Solstice is Friday, December 21, 2018! These things inspired me recently:
“The winter solstice is Friday: 8 things to know about the shortest day of the year” - This article covers the science and traditions of Winter Solstice including a great video about the alignment of stones at Stonehenge in relation to Winter Solstice.
“Santa Is a Psychedelic Mushroom” - This six minute video will change everything you think you know about the origins of Santa. And yeah, evidently reindeer really do know how to fly.
“That Still Moment - Solstice Music Playlist” - I totally forgot that I put this YouTube playlist together of some great winter music including: Gracie and Rachel, Olafur Arnalds, Alice Sara Ott, Nils Økland, Georg Buljo, Lumen Drones, Åsne Valland Nordlii, Benedicte Maurseth, Elinor Frey, Sigur Ros, Sammi Yoik songs, Arvo Part, Lana Trotovsek, David Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Kraus, and more.
The Newgrange tomb has a chamber that’s only illuminated on the sunrise of Winter Solstice.
If you love Winter Solstice like I do, I highly recommend the book “Winter Solstice” by John Matthews. It’s a great coffee table book with bits you can read in 5 minutes while drinking hot cocoa or sipping wine and watching the candles.
The Morning Ride Pedal Powered Podcast - Season 3 Launches Today!
Season 3 of “The Morning Ride Pedal Powered Podcast” launches Thursday, December 20, 2018! After six months and 70 episodes, it’s finally finding its pace. Thanks for letting me ride with you.
TMRPPP (horrible acronym I know (“We’re working on it.” - Agent Colson)) is a personal journal where I talk through my experiences working to evolve as a filmmaker, poet, and human being while riding my bicycle into the office. New episodes every Monday and Thursday are adamantly unedited conversations on topics of personal development, music, film, poetry, and bicycle commuting. TMRPPP is a project of Sunset Grove Media available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and www.jefferyoliver.com.
Enjoy Winter and your holidays!