Conflicting Feelings

Winter Solstice always brings with it conflicting feelings.

It’s the shortest “day” of the year … a bit of a misnomer since we have the same 24 hours as any other day to fumble through, but minimal day-LIGHT to assist us along our way.

Here in my little corner of dark, snowy Alaska, the sun rose (officially) at 10:18 am this morning. It was overcast and threatened to spit snow at us for the short five hours and fifteen minutes of supposed “daylight” we were treated to, with a brisk breeze making the relatively balmy 29° temps feel significantly colder.

I took advantage of our brief window of daylight today to drive the snow-covered road to town to pick up our grocery order and check our mailbox at the local UPS Store.

This is Ronni’s biggest social outing of the week these days, and I believe the hard-working employees at the UPS Store enjoy her brief, cheerful “therapy” visits as much as Rhonda does. ❤️

Ronni wore her prettiest Christmas finery for her visit today. She’s really a hoot to watch. With permission, I put Ronni on a 15’ leash and she frolicked from employee to employee behind the counters for quick pets, kisses and belly-rubber-dubbers.

We were back home in just over an hour, and it’s well we didn’t tarry. The sun, such as it was, bid us a dim adieu at 3:34 pm, just as the wind began picking up speed. Wind and sleet … oh boy.

I fear for the tiny ornaments on my cheery Christmas-themed bird feeder, totally exposed to the elements as it is on the deck. It’s too dark outside to see how it’s faring – and since the wind is only predicted to increase overnight, there is little to do except cross my fingers and wait for morning.

Right now, I’m content to spend what’s left of this Winter Solstice tucked in with a mug of cocoa, a pair of dachshunds and a good Christmas movie.

There is, of course, a bright side to being Winter Solstice today. TOMORROW, we start gaining daylight again – just a bit more each day.

Today is the “hump day” of winter in Alaska (please don’t attempt to confuse me with facts – I know “winter” technically starts today, too, and continues until mid-March, but actual daylight hours are all I care about!).

Surely, Spring must be right around the corner.