Solstice

Muffin in her customary asking for treats position

So this is it. We've turned the corner. Kiki and I swore that we were going to embrace winter this year. It has not been too bad, and the forecast looks like more of the same:

That's not the usual forecast for Christmas. I've been through years when it was 70 degrees colder than that, with a wind. 

The biggest worry for the garden is that the crocus and the garlic will start to come up again. 

Muffin, pictured above, was diagnosed with diabetes today. She had a rotten day at the vet, getting probed, having her colon manually emptied, getting IV hydration. We've brought her home with a series of expensive medications. You love your pet, though, eh? Circle of life and all that.

The state of the woodpile is strong. Our Xcel Energy bill showed almost no natural gas usage. This time last year, I looked out in horror at the dwindling pile and realized that we didn't have nearly enough wood. Not so this year, even though we've finished off the far away non-patio-based woodpiles. I think we have about three cords left.

Turning toward the light.