The wiggling of two warm bodies burrowing one after the other from the drafty opening they had created at the head of the bed to finding toasty warm spots alongside my PJ clad body barely twigged my awareness.
It was 7:30 am and I hadn’t noticed or felt them leave the bed earlier. But I guess they had both wanted an early morning potty break, because what DID get my groggy attention was an ice cold nose and pair of chilly feet that found a bare patch of skin near my waist.
I remain in awe of the weens unerring ability to find bare skin. How do they manage this when I am wearing flannel pants and a t-shirt? Maybe if I tucked the t-shirt in? Hmm … not gonna happen. Comfort first – I’ll take my chances.
All right, already! My cocoon of warm blankets invaded, I’m now awake. It’s time for coffee.
Of course, now that I want to get up, Baxter and Ronni are once again sound asleep. Warm as a couple of bugs in their rugs.
Baxter’s cold nose is still in contact with my waist, but the rest of him is in a tight, heat-retaining ball. Rhonda is right above him, stretched out full length so her tail is in Baxter’s face, her long, lithe body glued to the warmth of mine and her nose nestled against my neck. Gee, I hate to disturb them.
I got up anyway, which did NOT impress Ronni. I was her warm spot.
As I poured my coffee, perusing the darkness outside the window, I found myself looking east and wishing there was even a tinge of light on the horizon.
And then I realized what day was getting ready to dawn. Today (well, this evening) is WINTER SOLSTICE! My mood lifted immediately!
Yes, it’s still dark out. Of course it is – today is literally the darkest and shortest day of the year!
I snuggled back on (not in) the bed with my coffee, pushing the kids over and pulling out my knitting. On this shortest day, I will celebrate by enjoying the late-coming sunrise.
As first light touched the mountains across the valley, I toasted the sight with my coffee mug, knowing that tomorrow’s dawn will come six seconds earlier!
De & the Dachsies - Our Rambles 
Hooray hooray for the longer days!!
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When I think of solstices and such, I am reminded of that writer’s list that we were both on so many years ago and the woman who was what we would now call a blogger. Do you remember her? From TX, I think, and shared her dying days with us. I seem to remember she was wiccan and the solstices were important to her. It seems so long ago. I remember when you met Rusty, and that was quite a love story! Since then, my husband died and a couple of years later I met the love of my life. He was 17 years older than me, unfortunately, so I lost him a couple of years ago. It does my heart good to see that you and Rusty are still making it, even with the problems you’ve had. I read your blog all the time, and enjoy it so much. My father bred doxies, so I grew up with them. Had one myself a long time ago. I’d love another, but really don’t want the responsibility anymore. I have a friend who has a “chiweenie” (half chihuahua) that I borrow sometimes. She’s colored like a black doxie. Just wanted to say HI and hope you have a happy holiday season and a mild winter.! Sue Cubic
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I do remember Youngblood Stargazr, aka YB. Such a special soul. Her daughter divided her ashes up and sent them in beautiful glass vessels to be scattered in a few of her favorite places – including Alaska. YB resides still in/on a ravine at the back of my 16 acres of wooded property. 💫✨💫
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