Happy Solstice

For those of us living in the north lands of the northern hemisphere, today is a day to rejoice, not because it is the first day of winter, but because it is the first day of the return of the light. It is the original "reason for the season".

Miracle of miracles, it wasn't raining today. It has been a wild week around here, with destructive wind storms Tuesday and Thursday, and a violent tornado west of the sound that destroyed or damaged many homes where it touched down. We don't get tornadoes here. 

Since it is Friday, we went to our usual breakfast gathering, and were joined by a few non-regulars for a joyous gathering of nine. We kept our dear server Tally hopping. A few gifts were exchanged, and I distributed my cookie tins to our regular six.

Then a few of us progressed the party to Jeanne's house. She is also a former colleague who is now pretty much house bound. We brought her a little solstice party, she being of good Scandinavian stock and all. We brought lefse and fatigmand, and Jan brought salmon spread and other goodies. She got a tin of cookies too.

We had fun talking and carrying on about all sorts of things. It was 2:00 when we finished partying.  When we got home the sky was clear, and I really needed to move.  I have not been out for an exercise walk for over a month, but today I needed to go, to be outside, to get some of the low winter sun on my face, to make my body work the way I want it to.

 When Tom and I got back home, my Map Your Walk app read 1.94 miles.  It wasn't perfect, my back was still stiff, but nothing really hurt, and there was no buckling. Yay me!

 The sun was low in the sky as we walked in the park, and now, as I sit and type at 4:21, the sun has just set.

The rain and darkness may return tomorrow, but I had today! And each day there will be more light soon, and maybe even more walks.

I'm celebrating solstice.