Winter Solstice on the Prairie

The shortest day of the year did not bring with it the end of the world. No, instead it brought something that unfolded gradually as the day wore on and the light faded fast. It brought hope. Hope in the knowledge that tomorrow the sun would stay a bit longer. Hope that God has a plan for each of our lives - and for the world as a whole - and that He unveils it piece by piece - only He knows its end! Hope because each year we celebrate this time of His birth and His rebirth in us!

With the ending of the winter solstice, the world gets a bit brighter every day!

The Season Begins....

Each year, snow or no snow, the prairie greets the Christmas season with a flair all of its own. And try as we may with lights and garland, we just can't compete with its elegance.

The wild winterberry bushes area dotted red with the berries that emerged last month, looking very much like they are bedecked with fairy ornaments.

Pine cones litter the trees and the ground. The red twig Dogwood bushes are just starting to reveal their crimson stalks. Now a dusting of snow would set all of this off nicely... but I am certainly enjoying the 70 degree weather. Perhaps Christmas eve?