Winter Solstice

Among several tribes on the northern plains, the passage of time from one summer to the next was marked by noting a single memorable event. The sequence of such memories, recorded pictographically on a buffalo robe or spoken aloud, was called a winter count. Several winter counts might be in progress at any one time in the same tribe, each differing according to the personality of its keeper.                                                                                                                         Barry Lopez

Cold nights, beautiful clear days.  No rain -- the third-driest December on record.  The lemon and tomato trees are at their peak.

What would I choose for my winter count?  A number of events come to mind.  The death of a good friend stands out.  Other deaths and impending mortality of friends and family have colored this year.  And yet, not a sad year--just a reminder of the transitory nature of our existence.  A call to appreciate the beauty and camaraderie while it lasts.  I often have a vision of my friend up in the sky, smiling and waving to me from the beyond.

The day of solstice feels like a pause, a moment of stillness in the ongoing turning of the year.

December Full Moon

This cold winter night,

that old wooden-head Buddha  

would make a nice fire

                      Buson

 An early morning eclipse!  A small bite at 5am, by 6:00 the moon was a dusty red globe.    

I am often up at that hour but beyond going out for the newspaper, I don't experience outdoors at that hour very often.  From the deck the sound of the freeway is noticeable in our very quiet neighborhood.  I've often thought about how little I experience our yard during the dark hours since it is so rarely warm enough to sit outside comfortably.  I will try to get outside early again to watch the dawn. 

It has been very cold at night but no rain lately, just a hazy sky.  Many of the plants are confused and blooming--some roses this month, California poppies right now.  I don't feel my usual winter inwardness.  Busy with a computer project, paintings coming along.  By 3 o'clock the sun is low in the sky and I feel the evening coming on, and of course the vegetable garden is ragged and brown, otherwise could be almost any time of year.