it's upon us now. i asked my students to reflect on their year today, to journal about it, to think about what it would be like to not know if the light would return. do we even believe now? the clear cold weather is stunning, but we have little snow, out back there is a little bit more than by this grandmother maple who dominates the backyard. early dark, long night, late sunrise now begins to ease. welcome!

i don't expect that christmas holiday will be stressful or difficult or big, we live quite simply. there is a small tree with a few lights and ornaments that the visiting puppy will probably have to wrestle a bit with. we have some discord and sickness in the extended family, don't all families? we have some traditions and some friends we'll see, some eating and drinking to enjoy, and some hiking or (hopefully) skiing into the adirondacks to energize our out of shape muscles. i wish you all moments to share with people who mean much to you, time outside, and time off to make or do or be exactly what you need this holiday time.