小寒
The name seems ironic, considering the news coming from the middle of the North American landmass, where wind-chill adjusted temperatures are in the -50s Fahrenheit. But it is mild here out West.It is also the day of the Epiphany, which in Catholic countries used to be a bigger gift-giving day than Christmas. And, coincidentally, I believe the Orthodox Christmas is going to be tomorrow, which translates to December 25 on the Old Style Russian calendar, which is what the Orthodox church still uses for its observances.
In places that use that Gregorian calendar, today was the first Monday after the New Year week, and everybody returned to work (not just the people who work obscene hours for minimum wage in retail and other services business - they had to work last week, and the one before it).
