Yule (Winter Solstice)

I stood at the window; it was just too cold outside, and waited for the rebirth of the Sun. The Eastern sky gradually lightened and turned a pale blue. Slowly it brightened as I waited. Finally the first ray of sunlight shot across the land. Bright and full of promise the ray sped by me and onward across Shady Hollow and toward the western sky.

There was no sound as the Silver Wheel clicked a notch. There was silence as the world stood poised to gradually ascend toward the light part of the year. Even the birds were still and quiet. The Sun is reborn and light and warmth will return to the land.

All my weather lore foretold the current cold and snowy weather. It has shown me the conditions are right for a winter with more of the same. Yet, even while the North Winds blow snow across the land the days will grow longer and at last the sun and warmth will defeat the winds of winter.

My blessings to all on this Solstice morning. May the Sun always shine on you wherever you are on your journey through life.

Snow Storm

It snowed at Shady Hollow on Friday. Serious snow. We knew it was on the way and had stocked up on supplies. Tigger was brought home from the vet's the day before with prayers that he didn't take a turn for the worse after getting home (prayers are answered so far on that one).

I told my boss the night before, "Remember, I don't do snow." He nodded affirmative and said that was OK because he had heard this one was going to be bad.

Friday morning we had received a dusting, but it had started to mist rain with a little sleet mixed in. I kept watching the Weather Channel and they kept assuring me it was on its way. They were correct. By mid-day it had begun to snow heavily and continue snowing until after 10 p.m.

I kept taking pictures all day and again this morning. These white squirrels were in a feeding frenzy below the bird feeder before the snow had accumulated more than an inch or two. I never saw any squirrels today. I suppose they were staying curled in their beds, snug and warm.

I haven't seen the chipmunk, but did toss him some food over near the opening of his den. I know he is the warmest, as is den is next to the cottage and he gets some warmth through the wall.

My adventures have been few. My enjoyment has been great. I don't think I have gotten as much pleasure from a snow storm since I was a child.

Tomorrow I will dig us out and get ready for Monday and the real world again. But for now, locked in the Ice Crone's embrace, Shady Hollow and her inhabitants are all at peace.

Be Blessed.

Strangers in the Night

I don't know who she is.

We meet every night on the same stretch of road traveling in opposite directions. On the afternoons I take that route to work, we meet again, headed in different directions to different destinations.

I am sure we both work second shift, I know from meeting her in daylight that we are close in age. But, I don't know who she is.

Sitting at the red light one night I saw which way she turns when she leaves our rendezvous road. She saw the direction I come from as well. You see, after a year of these meetings, I'm sure she recognizes my car, too.

On the nights I am home or work over, I wonder if she misses me. I miss her and wonder if all is well in her world on the nights she doesn't pass me by.

Those of us who travel the darkened streets after the rest of the world is home and safe take comfort in small things, I guess. It is comforting to meet her every night as we travel to our homes and who or what awaits us there.

Whoever you are, my dear, may good fortune smile on you and keep you safe on your nightly journey.

Brrrrrrrr

It is 10:00 a.m. as I write and the temperature is hovering at 22°F. Brrrr!

I haven't gone out to get the newspaper. I haven't forced myself to believe the latest news is worth the effort. It's a long way up the hill when it's this cold. I can read most of what I want to know on my computer anyway. The cats have even avoided sitting in the windows this morning.

I guess winter has finally arrived.

Be Blessed.

Unexpected Visitors

It is cold at Shady Hollow. After getting to see a few snowflakes on Saturday morning our weather took a definite turn toward winter. Serious winter, with temperatures in the low 20's Sunday and at 29°F as I write early Monday morning.

We had all wanted a little more snow. It was the weekend after all, and we wouldn't have to travel anywhere. It worked out alright though, for with the snow came some new visitors to the Hollow.

Jim saw them first and called me to look. He was not ready to believe his eyes. I looked for a moment and grabbed the camera.

Neither of us had seen a bluebird in years. I remember them as a child in South Carolina, but had never seen any here. There was a small flock of them, four at least, but we think maybe five total. They had settled into the limbs of the Survivor Tree, and occasionally one would visit the deck railing. They were feeding below the deck, presumably on herb seeds.

We feel blessed that these little beauties rode in on the snow. We saw one again on Sunday and are hoping they will hang around for awhile.

Snow = Milk & Bread

If the weather forecasts are to be believed, we may get some rain/snow showers here Saturday. I'm getting the cameras ready in anticipation. I'll do my shopping tomorrow: milk and bread. It's a Southern Thing.

I've had people who aren't from around here ask me many times why we southerners run out for milk and bread whenever the forecasters say the word 'snow'. I don't know about anyone else, but the area of South Carolina where I grew up was prone to power outages during any type of inclement weather. So long as you had some milk and bread, you were good to go whether the power was on or not. Just my observation, if anyone has a differing opinion, please let me know.

When I moved to North Carolina I soon found that the milk and bread thing was in effect here, too. Milk and bread alone, however, will limit one to "jam" sandwiches. You know, two pieces of bread "jammed" together. So, I will probably pick up some peanut butter, pimento cheese, spam, and Dukes Mayonnaise as well. Oh, and some vanilla flavoring. Vanilla flavoring, along with milk and snow make snow-cream.

We won't get enough snow to make snow-cream or even make the milk and bread run a necessity, but it's still fun to do.

Right now, I think I'll check the forecast, one more time.

Be Blessed.

December’s Chill

The flowers were not killed the other day as I expected. Judging from the outside temperature as I write (in the wee hours of the morning again) they will probably succumb tonight to winter's chill. If not, I will have salvia, impatiens and begonias blooming outside on December 1^st.

In two weeks I will be starting my begonia seed for next summer. In the months after I'll be busy in the plant room getting other seedlings underway. Winter is not necessarily a time for rest at Shady Hollow. At least not under my grow lights!