Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection. The earth goes into hibernation. The plants die back into the ground and the soil goes cold. The rain breaks down the leaves, roots, stems and fruits into nutrients that are absorbed into the soil and the bugs help break them down and return them to the dirt.
Up here in the mountains, the humans take advantage of the sparse limbs to trim back the growth so that in spring, we might have a fighting chance against nature. All around there are sounds of chainsaws and trimmers during the shortened daylight. The squirrels are staying warm somewhere and are not as frequent visitors dropping onto the deck to check the birdfeeders. But skunks still wander, not as visible or as noisy as before, but the nose knows they are around. The deer are keeping still and not encountered on the roads as often, but they are around too.
While we are having a mild winter, it is still cold in the trees. But it's a nice break from last year's unyielding rain and storms. And I for one am enjoying the relief, the warm sun, and the comforting glow of my little woodstove with the sweet furry creatures I call my family, Penny and Stella. Our sweet little Blanche is still here in our hearts. And my human family is in my thoughts and heart as well. Spring will come, life will renew, and the garden will blossom again. This season is a time to rest, renew, reflect and prepare for the challenges to come.
Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection. The earth goes into hibernation. The plants die back into the ground and the soil goes cold. The rain breaks down the leaves, roots, stems and fruits into nutrients that are absorbed into the soil and the bugs help break them down and return them to the dirt. 
Up here in the mountains, the humans take advantage of the sparse limbs to trim back the growth so that in spring, we might have a fighting chance against nature. All around there are sounds of chainsaws and trimmers during the shortened daylight. The squirrels are staying warm somewhere and are not as frequent visitors dropping onto the deck to check the birdfeeders. But skunks still wander, not as visible or as noisy as before, but the nose knows they are around. The deer are keeping still and not encountered on the roads as often, but they are around too.
While we are having a mild winter, it is still cold in the trees. But it's a nice break from last year's unyielding rain and storms. And I for one am enjoying the relief, the warm sun, and the comforting glow of my little woodstove with the sweet furry creatures I call my family, Penny and Stella. Our sweet little Blanche is still here in our hearts. And my human family is in my thoughts and heart as well. Spring will come, life will renew, and the garden will blossom again. This season is a time to rest, renew, reflect and prepare for the challenges to come.
