Ice in Los Angeles – A Time for Winter Activities

Last night was cold.  Very cold. This morning as I made my way towards Irwindale and work I noticed that all the north facing roofs were covered in ice.  Winter has arrived.  This makes me think of two “Winter” things I want to do this year.

The first thing is I want to stick a pole into the ground on December 21^st and record the shadow at noon local solar time.  Then return on subsequent days and mark the shadow at noon local solar time.  I would keep this up until the next December 21^st.  This could then give me an accurate solar calendar and clock, but it would probably be way to small.  At this point I could calculate the height of the pole needed to make the annual solar clock that would be the right size. 

The second thing I need to do this year is get a copy of Wagner's Ring Cycle and read it.  I want this edition which has the traditional pictures by Arthur Rackham which has inspired several of my literary favourites including Lewis and Tolkien.  Like hiking and camping, reading is something one must train themselves for.  I think I’m now mature enough to read and understand these pieces.