Thank you, Kathryn! I am really looking forward to a quiet couple of weeks, and to time for some outdoor excursions to destinations a bit farther away than my daily walk. Including a field trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is just half an hour away and includes one of the most spectacularly sheer canyons I have ever seen in my life. May your holidays be nourishing and full of joy!
Beautiful wreath and luminarias. I love to light up the night with solar decorations and luminaries, but the number I put out are declining as my age increases.
Penny, It's not the number of lights and decorations you put out--you know this--it's the spirit in which you offer them to brighten this world. Have wonderful holidays!
As an active reader - Type A Chihuahua myself - I like to search the locations and natural features of places the author mentions. NE New Mexico? SW Colorado? The San Juan Mountains helped in my search. At least three peaks over 14,000 feet altitude, with some cool temperatures at present. Brrr. Luminaria lend a magical quality to the dead of winter I would agree. A chill out period from Winter Solstice to the New Year feels compelling, Susan. I so appreciate your gentle messaging. Many thanks and see you next year…virtually.
Gary, To help in your research, where I live is near the northwestern edge of the San Juans, which are an extensive mountain range created by dozens of volcanic calderas as crustal stretching was rotating the Colorado Plateau and creating the Basin and Range country off to the West. The Colorado Plateau (think Moab, Utah, and Arches and Canyonlands national parks) is west-north-west of me, the west end of the San Juans is to the south and east, and to the east and north are Grand Mesa and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I live in a dynamic landscape! As for cool temperatures, I'm at 5,800 feet elevation at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, so yes. And Fourteeners, as we call peaks over 14k elevation here: there are three in that panoramic view, which only captures a small part of the San Juans. Colorado has 58 fourteeners over all, and 14 of those are in the San Juans. Have wonderful holidays and take some time to just be.... Blessings!
Thanks, Susan. Very helpful indeed. My now departed MIL used to say, “I read maps like a dirty book!” A great example of map-power can be found in William Least-Heat Moon’s book, “Blue Highways.” He focussed the reader on towns only accessible by blue highways. Roads coded in blue by long ago gas station paper maps. A later book, “River Horse” covers his cross country trip in a tough-made boat and strong engine. A few instances required vehicle use. Re-fueling and areas where water was too shallow. He had an assistant, a fellow adventurer. I especially liked Moon’s relating different spots on the trip to adventurers of old. Lewis and Clark, e.g. His reaching the Pacific (Columbia River, I think) was overwhelming success to Moon. My adventuresome niece sent me a copy of “Blue Highways.” So grateful for her, and for Moon’s book. Loaned copies of both paperbacks never returned. The nature of our material worlds, don’t you think?
I loved Blue Highways! I enjoyed River Horse too, but Blue Highways was my favorite. Sending out material goods to be shared is an example of a circular economy, something the world needs to shift to before we drown in our own waste. :)
Thank you for this beautiful reflection. Like your friend, I am learning to adapt to the rhythms of the seasons. For years, I led a service for the longest night—much more meaningful to me than Christmas. Check out Shana Willis series Winter Pause on Substack. Solstice blessings.
A service for the longest night sounds like a really rich and meaningful way to celebrate this reflective time, Lynn. Thank you for offering it when you could! And thank you for the suggestion to look into Shannon Willis' series. For other readers, here is the link to her "Wintering" post: https://thehoneyedoracle.substack.com/p/wintering. Blessings of the Winter Solstice to you, too, Lynn.
Thank you, Stephanie. I hope you have wonderfully soothing holidays and great revising time. And for me, I'll take your lovely benediction like a cozy quilt and wrap it snugly around me. Solstice blessings to you!
As a desert rat by nature and a lover of the tropics, I have had to adjust to the Pacific Northwest. If I had my way I'd have moved to Costa Rica years ago, but Washington has been good to us and I quickly became engaged in the fight for wetland protection here. Rebecca has fallen in love with Puget Sound and it has many good points. For one it is not as cold as one might think here at nearly 48 degrees north. We have yet to have a hard frost and it was 54 F, when I was at the bookstore in Lynwood today!
On you main point, I am also looking forward to having at least two weeks without doctor's visits and plan to do as much as I can to refresh.
Dave, I'm glad that Washington has been good to you and Lynda, and Rebecca too. It's kind of like the tropics in the rainfall, just not close to the Equator! I lived near Puget Sound for three years when Molly was young, so I now the climate well. It's where I learned to sea-kayak. Getting out on the sound helped me stay sane, because I could see out on the water. On land all of that vegetation made me feel claustrophobic. :) Enjoy your two weeks without doctor visits and your time to refresh.
Light is so powerful at this time of year! I am a particular fan of candles because theirs is a softer, living glow that moves and flickers, not the monotonous (but useful) light of soft-white LED bulbs. I hope you can find time this holiday season for some Hush. :)
Luxuriate in your hush time. What a beautiful and peaceful thing to do. The winter solstice is a time of closing and opening, all at once. The journey of the sun back north, in the northern hemisphere, is always welcomed. I cannot imagine not living where there are seasons.
The luminaries are beautiful as well. Enjoy this time of the holidays and quiet time✨💛
Yes: "The winter solstice is a time of closing and opening, all at once." I appreciate very much the way you phrase that, Jenny. I'm with you on loving the rhythm of the seasons. It occurs to me that perhaps the seasons inspired the saying, "Variety is the space of life." I would certainly miss that spice if I didn't have it! Also, I learn so much by paying attention to the changes the seasons bring. Blessings to you in this season of hush and holidays!
Thank you, Nancy! Perhaps you can find some hush-time in your own holiday season. Winter Solstice is a great time to try new habits and rituals, as it's the ending of one solar year and the beginning of the next. Blessings!
Love the luminarias! Our whole neighborhood when we lived in Florida did them every year on Christmas Eve. Hope you have a peaceful, fruitful time off, Susan. Holiday blessings to you!
Thank you, Jeanne! Aren't luminarias a beautiful tradition? I learned them in southern New Mexico, when my step-daughter was a band kid and we had to fold hundreds of paper bags for the band to fill and sell. I moved to the tradition to Solstice because the light returning is what it's about for me (also because Christmas was originally placed at this time of year to subvert the Pagan Solstice celebrations). May your holidays be lovely ones, bringing continued revival to your valley and the whole Appalachian region. Blessings!
My luminarias burned all night and were still glowing when I left for my daily dawn walk. (I'll put a photo and haiku in notes in a minute.) This may be the best year for them ever--no wind, no snow, no rain, and no bags burning up in the night! I think that's a good sign for being home at last.
I am thrilled to have learned about The Hush from Sue's newsletter, and happily sinking into it now. May your hush be restorative and just what you need. Blessings!
May your hush time be life-giving! I look forward to what’s coming next…..
Thank you, Kathryn! I am really looking forward to a quiet couple of weeks, and to time for some outdoor excursions to destinations a bit farther away than my daily walk. Including a field trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is just half an hour away and includes one of the most spectacularly sheer canyons I have ever seen in my life. May your holidays be nourishing and full of joy!
Beautiful wreath and luminarias. I love to light up the night with solar decorations and luminaries, but the number I put out are declining as my age increases.
Penny, It's not the number of lights and decorations you put out--you know this--it's the spirit in which you offer them to brighten this world. Have wonderful holidays!
Peace be with you, dear Susan. And thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Sending you lots of love and best wishes for the New Year.
Liz
Thank you, Liz! May your holidays be full of wonder and joy and love. (And fun!)
As an active reader - Type A Chihuahua myself - I like to search the locations and natural features of places the author mentions. NE New Mexico? SW Colorado? The San Juan Mountains helped in my search. At least three peaks over 14,000 feet altitude, with some cool temperatures at present. Brrr. Luminaria lend a magical quality to the dead of winter I would agree. A chill out period from Winter Solstice to the New Year feels compelling, Susan. I so appreciate your gentle messaging. Many thanks and see you next year…virtually.
Gary, To help in your research, where I live is near the northwestern edge of the San Juans, which are an extensive mountain range created by dozens of volcanic calderas as crustal stretching was rotating the Colorado Plateau and creating the Basin and Range country off to the West. The Colorado Plateau (think Moab, Utah, and Arches and Canyonlands national parks) is west-north-west of me, the west end of the San Juans is to the south and east, and to the east and north are Grand Mesa and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I live in a dynamic landscape! As for cool temperatures, I'm at 5,800 feet elevation at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, so yes. And Fourteeners, as we call peaks over 14k elevation here: there are three in that panoramic view, which only captures a small part of the San Juans. Colorado has 58 fourteeners over all, and 14 of those are in the San Juans. Have wonderful holidays and take some time to just be.... Blessings!
Thanks, Susan. Very helpful indeed. My now departed MIL used to say, “I read maps like a dirty book!” A great example of map-power can be found in William Least-Heat Moon’s book, “Blue Highways.” He focussed the reader on towns only accessible by blue highways. Roads coded in blue by long ago gas station paper maps. A later book, “River Horse” covers his cross country trip in a tough-made boat and strong engine. A few instances required vehicle use. Re-fueling and areas where water was too shallow. He had an assistant, a fellow adventurer. I especially liked Moon’s relating different spots on the trip to adventurers of old. Lewis and Clark, e.g. His reaching the Pacific (Columbia River, I think) was overwhelming success to Moon. My adventuresome niece sent me a copy of “Blue Highways.” So grateful for her, and for Moon’s book. Loaned copies of both paperbacks never returned. The nature of our material worlds, don’t you think?
I loved Blue Highways! I enjoyed River Horse too, but Blue Highways was my favorite. Sending out material goods to be shared is an example of a circular economy, something the world needs to shift to before we drown in our own waste. :)
Thank you for this beautiful reflection. Like your friend, I am learning to adapt to the rhythms of the seasons. For years, I led a service for the longest night—much more meaningful to me than Christmas. Check out Shana Willis series Winter Pause on Substack. Solstice blessings.
A service for the longest night sounds like a really rich and meaningful way to celebrate this reflective time, Lynn. Thank you for offering it when you could! And thank you for the suggestion to look into Shannon Willis' series. For other readers, here is the link to her "Wintering" post: https://thehoneyedoracle.substack.com/p/wintering. Blessings of the Winter Solstice to you, too, Lynn.
It's the quiet of the dark that I find the most soothing. May your hush time fill you with sweet dreams. Happy holidays dear woman.
Thank you, Stephanie. I hope you have wonderfully soothing holidays and great revising time. And for me, I'll take your lovely benediction like a cozy quilt and wrap it snugly around me. Solstice blessings to you!
As a desert rat by nature and a lover of the tropics, I have had to adjust to the Pacific Northwest. If I had my way I'd have moved to Costa Rica years ago, but Washington has been good to us and I quickly became engaged in the fight for wetland protection here. Rebecca has fallen in love with Puget Sound and it has many good points. For one it is not as cold as one might think here at nearly 48 degrees north. We have yet to have a hard frost and it was 54 F, when I was at the bookstore in Lynwood today!
On you main point, I am also looking forward to having at least two weeks without doctor's visits and plan to do as much as I can to refresh.
Have a great hush!
Dave, I'm glad that Washington has been good to you and Lynda, and Rebecca too. It's kind of like the tropics in the rainfall, just not close to the Equator! I lived near Puget Sound for three years when Molly was young, so I now the climate well. It's where I learned to sea-kayak. Getting out on the sound helped me stay sane, because I could see out on the water. On land all of that vegetation made me feel claustrophobic. :) Enjoy your two weeks without doctor visits and your time to refresh.
I love the idea of “hush time.” Inspired to make candelaria! 🕯️
Light is so powerful at this time of year! I am a particular fan of candles because theirs is a softer, living glow that moves and flickers, not the monotonous (but useful) light of soft-white LED bulbs. I hope you can find time this holiday season for some Hush. :)
Luxuriate in your hush time. What a beautiful and peaceful thing to do. The winter solstice is a time of closing and opening, all at once. The journey of the sun back north, in the northern hemisphere, is always welcomed. I cannot imagine not living where there are seasons.
The luminaries are beautiful as well. Enjoy this time of the holidays and quiet time✨💛
Yes: "The winter solstice is a time of closing and opening, all at once." I appreciate very much the way you phrase that, Jenny. I'm with you on loving the rhythm of the seasons. It occurs to me that perhaps the seasons inspired the saying, "Variety is the space of life." I would certainly miss that spice if I didn't have it! Also, I learn so much by paying attention to the changes the seasons bring. Blessings to you in this season of hush and holidays!
Blessings to you, Susan. The hush time of year is deeply restorative.
Loved this reflective piece. Please enjoy or time away and happy solstice!
Thank you, Nancy! Perhaps you can find some hush-time in your own holiday season. Winter Solstice is a great time to try new habits and rituals, as it's the ending of one solar year and the beginning of the next. Blessings!
Happy Solstice!
Happy Solstice to you, too, Jill! And thank you. I am really looking forward to the gradual return of the light this year.
Love the luminarias! Our whole neighborhood when we lived in Florida did them every year on Christmas Eve. Hope you have a peaceful, fruitful time off, Susan. Holiday blessings to you!
Thank you, Jeanne! Aren't luminarias a beautiful tradition? I learned them in southern New Mexico, when my step-daughter was a band kid and we had to fold hundreds of paper bags for the band to fill and sell. I moved to the tradition to Solstice because the light returning is what it's about for me (also because Christmas was originally placed at this time of year to subvert the Pagan Solstice celebrations). May your holidays be lovely ones, bringing continued revival to your valley and the whole Appalachian region. Blessings!
Yes, moving the tradition to Solstice makes so much sense. May your light(s) continue to shine brightly, Susan ... and now in your new nest.
My luminarias burned all night and were still glowing when I left for my daily dawn walk. (I'll put a photo and haiku in notes in a minute.) This may be the best year for them ever--no wind, no snow, no rain, and no bags burning up in the night! I think that's a good sign for being home at last.
Eager for The Hush, and so thankful for Sue Kusch's sharing of the term and concept. 💙
I am thrilled to have learned about The Hush from Sue's newsletter, and happily sinking into it now. May your hush be restorative and just what you need. Blessings!
Celebrating the solstice with luminaries is a lovely idea. Happy holidays to you, Susan.
Thank you, Janisse! Happiest of holiday wishes to you and yours. May the New Year bring many blessings your way.