….On New Year’s day we went for a lovely walk on my folks’ property where I have been visiting, along with my dog, Charlie. We walked across the first field to the stream where we crossed over and soon saw signs of many coyotes….

I try to enjoy as many holidays with my family as I can, for these are the seemingly small and simple things that to me, are part of making memories. My folks arrived on Christmas Eve and stayed for a few days. For me it was a Christmas of good family company, too much delicious food, and enjoying the blissful feeling of the moment.

Today is the December solstice. Up here in the northern hemisphere it marks the shortest day of the year, the longest night, and the start of winter. Down in the southern hemisphere it is the longest day of the year and the start of summer. I feel like it is a magical and somewhat mysterious day, and I like to enjoy the solstice by celebrating my connection to the earth and nature.