I've certainly been noticing the change.

It's a seasonal shock to go from "light until 11 pm" to "pitch black at 6." We're not at that extreme yet, but the transition seems to happen much more quickly than it ought to. Perception, I suppose.

There's certainly a noticeable physical and psychological transition heading into a northern winter. For a short while, you kind of hunker down like you're heading into hibernation. Then, mind and body rear up, back into the fray, like a ship roaring upright after a broadside wave. You get your equilibrium back and get on with your day.

There are benefits too. We have four, very distinct seasons. And, people living in the higher latitudes get gorgeous sunsets that last an hour. When I was visiting Hawaii, if you turned your head to sneeze you'd miss it.

This'll make you laugh: when people living in Alberta (c. 53 degrees lat.) talk about people living in Yukon/Alaska, they say "man, I couldn't live there, it's way too dark in the winter." So it's what you get used to.

here in Minneapolis --45N--Thanksgiving is the worst..no real snow yet and dark by 5:00..later on when the snow covers the ground you get that reflected light and it's not so bad looking outside..and your right about the psych part.we went from nice weather to cold rain and the 40's in just a few days.tonite i made a pot roast with all the trimmings and wolfed it down.last week it was still hot dogs or burgers on the grill..i'm sure the folks in the warm parts of the world don't have changes like that in their meals as the seasons change..

For me, the most noticeable change is in the mornings. It's now still dark when I get up, and the keychain light I recently acquired is coming in VERY handy to see the door lock as I'm leaving for work.

But it's another month before we get off of Daylight Saving Time.

"...the transition seems to happen much more quickly than it ought to. Perception, I suppose."

Nope!

Daylight hours increase (or decrease) faster in the spring and fall, and change more slowly near the summer and winter solstices.

Sue