Solstice

Yesterday was winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the time when daylight is shortest and night is longest. In the southern hemisphere, yesterday was summer solstice.  How does the changing amount of daylight affect your daily routine? For example, what is one thing you won't do on a dark evening?

Taking stock

How are your plans for the year shaping up?  Do the goals that you set at the beginning of the year still make sense?  Which goals have you already changed?  Which are starting to look iffy?  And which of your goals for the year are still on track?

This week's theme is midyear.

The year that changed everything

The year 2012 had a bit of advance buzz as a year to expect large-scale changes.  In your personal life, has 2012 turned out to be a year of change?  What large or small changes have affected your life in the first half of this year?

This week's theme is midyear.

Midyear 2012

With the year half over, it's a good time to take a look and see how 2012 is shaping up. 

What is this year's recurring theme? What makes 2012 different from other years? In particular, how is it different from 2011 for you? Could you sum up, in eight words or less, this year's unique flavor?

This week's theme is midyear.

Tell us a story: this year's entry

What is something special that you do once a year — something that takes more than a little planning and preparation?

How many years have you been doing this annual tradition?  And how did you get started on it?

Next Leap Day

The next Leap Day comes on February 29, 2016. Where do you expect to be four years from now? What changes are likely to come about in your life and in the world in the next four years?

This week's theme is Leap Day.

Last Leap Day

The last time Leap Day rolled around was on February 29, 2008. Where were you on that date? What were the main concerns on your mind four years ago? And what has changed in your life since then?

This week's theme is Leap Day.

42nd Annual Kite-Flying Contest

What festivals, fairs, and community events does your area offer? Which local events do you look forward to every year?

This week's theme is local culture.

The year's best

Sure, 2011 is only half over. But if you were asked to make a tentative nomination for the year's best book, best song, or best movie (pick one category), what would you choose? What work of entertainment blew your mind this year?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Out of left field

There were plenty of predictions and forecasts for 2011, but some of the year's huge news stories came as total surprises. How about in your personal life? What big changes in the past six months caught you by surprise?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Halfway through the year

Can you believe it? 2011 is already at the halfway mark! How are things going for you? Is 2011 working out to be a better year for you than 2010?

What is your highlight of the year so far — your single brightest moment for 2011?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Year's end

What did you handle this year better than ever before? What problems did you decisively solve this year?

This week's theme is year's end.

The beginning of fall

In the northern hemisphere, the fall season officially starts a few days from now. Fall brings many new things, such as a new school year, a new television season, and many seasonal fruits and vegetables. What element of the fall season is most exciting or most meaningful for you?

Get out your crystal ball

It's time to make one silly prediction. What is one thing — either in your personal life or in the public realm — that you think might happen before the end of 2010?

Just come up with something that seems at least remotely plausible and post it here. If it comes to pass, you can say you were prophetic. If it doesn't happen, then we'll say we were just having fun.

Think about the next six months and gaze into your crystal ball. What do you see?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Taking stock

Did you set personal goals for this year? Which of your goals did you reach during the first half of the year? Which goals seem within reach for the second half of the year?

Did you make new year's resolutions? Which of them are on track so far?

Do your goals and plans for this year still make sense? What is the most important goal for you to focus on for the rest of the year?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Person of the Year

We realize there are six months to go -- but if you had to make a preliminary nomination for your "person of the year" for 2010, who might you pick? Who has had a big, positive impact on your life? Who inspires you by their example? Who has achieved something remarkable this year?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Plans and surprises

Which of your predictions for 2010 have already come true? What things unfolded pretty much the way you expected? What were this year's biggest surprises so far?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Halfway through the year

2010 is almost half over. How are things going? Is this year shaping up as well as you had hoped? Is 2010 working out better than 2009 for you?

This week's theme is halfway through the year.

Happy (blank) day!

If you decided you wanted to hold a big celebration — on something other than your birthday, or a recognized holiday — what are a few of the things that you could use as an excuse to celebrate?

The Days of Our Lives

What time of year do you most look forward to? What time of year would you be just as happy to skip through more quickly?

See what's happening on any day of the year here: www.earthcalendar.net