Half an hour ago, at 1:00 in the afternoon, I went out to my shed to fetch some firewood. I have motion-sensor lights on the shed that come on if they detect motion in the dark. They came on. At 1:00 in the afternoon. And it’s not raining. Just overcast, Pacific NW winter overcast. This means it’s very dark, mid-day. It feels heavy.
On the other hand . . . if one has the luxury of time so that one can melt down and absorb the events of the year . . . assimilating the deaths and births and rich experiences . . . this is a wonderful time of year. The weight feels like your Grandma’s heavy quilt . . . willing you to sleep and dreams.
Living close to nature in the Pacific Northwest in winter is both a challenge and a gift.
