“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”
Katherine May – Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, 2020.
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Notes to Readers:
When I took my morning walk the air was crisp and chilly… for Florida, a whole 45 degrees F. I started out with three layers and then, as I warmed up, I peeled off my sweatshirt. I love this time of year in Florida when the skies are robin egg blue and punctuated with white fluffy clouds.
I would have gone on another outing, but I had some cooking to do. Sharing a kitchen as I do and not sharing the food of my fellow householders, I work around other people’s schedules. It is what it is… and it’s the way I have been living since I arrived in Florida.
I’m not going to feel sorry for myself. I’m not shivering trying to live in a tent as winter starts.
I want to wish every reader, across the planet, an excellent Solstice. I won’t say “winter” solstice as I have readers in the Southern Hemisphere, too, especially in Oz. For you folks, enjoy the onset of your summer.
Since there isn’t any snow here, it’s a bit hard to get into the spirit. Still the lovely chilly air made the brisk walk a delight. And there were tons of migrating birds flitting around through the tall pines and sturdy oaks, mostly robins and finches, lending color and sound to the outing.
I hope to get out tomorrow…
Eliza Ayres
Sunny's Journal 
Happy Super Solstice, Eliza, to all your readers, too, from wet, wintery SW Canada. Longer, lighter days ahead which will lift the hearts of all Star Seeds in the northern hemisphere. And in Oz, NZ and the southern hemisphere, your days at the beach are here. Been there, done that at this time of year, and it was strange, but amazingly pleasant to go swimming at Bondi on Christmas Day. Thanks for all you do here at SJ, Eliza, and I’m looking forward to a very interesting and very transparent New Year. Much love to you and all here, Altea
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Happy Solstice
we are heading for a hot Christmas in southern Australia which is never as much fun as it sounds for the cohort who have to cook and set up for the day. But the Boxing Day cricket and the big Sydney to Hobart yacht race are the emblems of our holidays. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the times we live in as best as you can.
Thankyou Eliza for you wonderful reports. You are my first internet stop each morning.
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Thank you Eliza for sharing your wonderful photos, insights and post commentaries. I find myself agreeing with you often, enjoying your perspectives, and grateful each day your posts arrive. I’m also retired, a loner, been on the awakening journey for many years, and love walking in beautiful areas. So I feel a special connection when I read your updates.
May this illusion of insanity shift into something wondrous and beautiful this coming year. I don’t hold Trump as the savior, yet I do believe the Alliance has saved humanity from a terrible ending and given us a chance to step into our power. And that is extraordinary. Thanks again for all you do to help us see this unfold from a higher view.
I wish you a lovely holiday week and send hugs, love and gratitude.
~ Alice
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Lots of varied definitions of the term “Feisty” ……
My favorite that fits you from my perspective ………..
tough, independent, and spirited
Today [12/18/24] you had an extra splash of directness . Enjoyed reading it and appreciate your service to all of us.
Servant Warrior
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