Sun’s up!

I slept late and was awakened by a blaze of light. A big ball of fire was peeking over the hill behind the Writing Studio and Bait Shop. Extraordinary. I took a picture of it for you. I had to take it through a window screen, but I’m pretty sure it is the sun. Imagine that. In northern Michigan in December.

And not a moment too soon. I spent a good part of the longest night of the year searching for Miss Sadie and the Cowboy, who had gone walkabout in a snowstorm. Yes, yes, they’re fine, although they can whistle for treats for the next week or so. But the whole experience certainly gave me time and occasion to ponder the meaning of darkness.

Mostly, on winter nights, I feel darkness coming down like a blanket. Sometimes it’s a velvet background for the sparkling tumble of jewels in the northern sky. Last night it was secretive, almost menacing. I had to remind myself that I am not afraid of the dark, and that I know every inch of this road, that lane, the little hill back there.

OK, maybe not this hill that I am puffing up, the narrow beam from the flashlight showing me the tracks of the miscreant dogs, shadows dancing about and leaping at me. I don’t believe I’ve ever cut cross-country to climb this particular hill before. And just what was that sound? Well, whatever it is, a large black down comforter crashing through the underbrush on YakTrax is unlikely to appeal to it as prey.

New snow blurred the tracks, and I discovered that I was following the trail backwards. Fine, I thought, I’m going home. And so I did and eventually so did Miss Sadie and the Cowboy and we are all fine, if a little the worse for wear. And this morning there is sunshine! And the big orange Antrim County plow has been through, and Dale Reedy is clearing my drive as I write.

My outlook is greatly improved. I gave myself a little treat, and played with the photo software. Looky here:

That was fun.  I especially like the ghost trees in the sky.  Now on to the other day job and to all the errands I didn’t get done yesterday.  I hope you’re doing better than I am at holiday preparations.  If it makes you feel any better, you could hardly be doing worse.