Morning Sun: Living the dark days of January

January 18th (2021) is 'Blue Monday'. The third Monday in January is considered by many to be the most depressing day in the calendar. As we enter the dark days of January, this episode considers the importance of the hope of spring and how the calendar and weatherlore enabled our ancestors to deal with the uncertainties they faced. 

Journal entry:

“16th January Saturday.

This morning the cormorant came on slow deliberate wings, swimming the thick grey porridgy skies. It circled twice before alighting on its usual branch.

Does it too long for the summer to come?
 Is it aware that this season will also pass?
 Does it too revel in the syrupy, warmth of the summer afternoon’s sun as it treacles through the body?” 

Episode Information

In this episode I refer to Melody Gardot’s song ‘Morning Sun.’
It is part of her 2015 album Currency of Man distributed by Decca.
You can hear Morning Sun on YouTube by clicking here: Morning Sun.

You can read a little more about St Hilary's Day, 13th or 14th January (depending upon liturgical calendars here: Weather Watch - St Hilary's Day.

General Details

In the intro and the outro, Saint-Saen's The Swan is performed by Karr and Bernstein (1961) and available on CC at archive.org.

Two-stroke narrowboat engine recorded by 'James2nd' on the River Weaver, Cheshire. Uploaded to Freesound.org on 23rd June 2018. Creative Commons Licence. 

Piano interludes composed and performed by Helen Ingram.

All other audio recorded on site. 

Contact
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I would love to hear from you. You can email me at nighttimeonstillwaters@gmail.com