I'm recovering from a cold. The nasties are trying to get their little claws in my lungs, I can feel the slight rasping when I breathe, but with garden garlic as my allie, I'll beat 'em yet.

Sam actually read to ME this morning, since my voice was all gnarled up... It was sweet. We're on the last chapter of 'A Wind in the Door' , the second book of Madeleine L'Engles series. He says we have to save it for christmas, so we read Just SO Stories today instead. Kipling's a trip.

Solstice evening by myself, accompanied by copious cups of tea and wrapped in my new superextracozy blanket, I read the light away on this shortest day of the year.

Then, Chi Gong by the light of the christmas tree.

I absolutely LOVE being alone in the dark with the glorious glow of my christmas tree. When I was a wee babe I'd sneak out to watch it, even fall asleep under it.

I've never been christian, but there's definately a feeling of sacred space about the tree, magic...

They say the christians borrowed the tradition, or redressed it, from pagan origins.

The sacred tree.

I'll have to set up the bed out there so Sam and I can fall asleep to it christmas eve.