The robber of daylight

One eye creaks open, stuck with sleep, and spies a bright star twinkling through my curtainless, naked bedroom window. The night (or is it early morning?) is like heavy velvet. Without my glasses on, the lone star is just a bright blur. What time is it? It can't be time to wake up yet, it is still pitch black outside. I check my phone. It is 6:05 am.

It is late October and not even Daylight Savings Time—the antiquated rationalization to save energy—can stop the oncoming Swedish high-latitude darkness that defines winter. Click here to continue reading over at Medium.

You know it's Winter in Sweden When...

You know it's Winter in Sweden When...

• There is no discernible difference in darkness between 3pm and midnight
• You cover every inch of outerwear in reflective tape and invest in reflective vests
• You will deliberately go out of your way and cross the street just to walk in the sunlight during the day
• You can count the number of hours of sunlight in November on one hand
• +1C is the worst temperature ever - still cold enough to require a jacket but not cold enough for winter activities
• You're ever grateful that your child's preschool playground is positioned to receive maximum sunlight
• Everyone's windows are full of beautiful Advent stars and candles
• Anyone in your immediate vicinity will alert you immediately if you accidentally drop your glove while walking 
• You wish for temperatures below 0 so you can XC ski and skate on the Baltic or nearby lake
• Parents walk their children to school by pulling them behind on a sled
• Your local paper has pictures of St. Lucia contestants
• Street lights turn off at 9am and turn back on at 2pm

Did I miss any?