The most depressing day of the year

I read in the paper that today is the most depressing day of the year according to a "formula" that includes the weather, the amount of debt you're in, your salary, the length of time since you broke your New Year's Resolutions, and a few other factors. But it's not all gloom and doom. We have 30 minutes more daylight since the winter solstice, and the rate of increase is increasing. Snowdrops have stuck their heads above the dirt and they look like they will bloom in just a few days.



And if you look closely, there are little seedling sprouts in amongst the debris. No clue what they are, but something thinks spring is coming.

The sun has moved higher in the sky according to my latest photo.



Nearly 8 inches difference in a month. It took 3 weeks to move the first 4 inches along the tape measure, and only 10 days to move another 4 inches. I'm sure there is a formula somewhere that charts all this stuff, but seeing it as it happens is fun. Plus it gives me something to look forward to during February, the most depressing month of the year, imho. A lot of people pick January for that dishonor, but my birthday is in January. A minor highlight, for sure, but it helps.