Two years ago, on a bitterly cold January day, we brought sweet Pixie home, a 6 month old poodle puppy frightened because she had never been away from her first home before. She was reassured by stuffed toys and cuddles and quickly settled into our lives. 
Her first moments outside were spent dashing joyfully through the deep snow while I laughed at her antics. 
She loves taking afternoon naps with her Dad 
and keeps a watchful eye out for visitors.
She’s gone on to be a cheerful garden helper 
and has had many cameos in my garden films. 
This past week, a beautiful snowfall brought inches of white fluffy fun to the garden and Pixie responded by joyfully racing through the snow. What a beautiful sight! It was the perfect time to make her the star of her own Pixie movie – enjoy!
We are just past the Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere – each day will now grow longer, bringing more light into our daily lives. It is not surprising that many holidays in December celebrate a season of light with candles, Yule logs, Christmas lights and many other traditions.
raising a sleepy head every so often. 
Whatever you may celebrate this time of year, may the light shine on your path and brighten the new year ahead.
while the leaves in the woods began their slow shift into the colors of fire. 
The trees in the surrounding woods slowly crescendoed from a murmur of pale gold 
to a full-throated song of orange and russet red. 
The leaves lie on the ground and pale winter sunlight has replaced the mysterious shadows and deep colors of autumn. The fall symphony has come to a close and winter waits in the wings, a new season carrying its own quiet beauty.
As I turned to him in puzzlement, he went on to say that he hadn’t walked through the arbor into that part of the garden in a long time, having been content to admire it from the deck while playing his guitar. 
Walking into the garden gave him a completely different perspective of what it meant to stand in the space and be enveloped by it. I was deeply moved by his reaction yet it confirmed what I’ve always believed about a garden – to truly experience it, you need to walk through it, not just look at it. Those of you who garden or who hike in nature surely know this difference.
Next year, those changes should be more evident in the number and diversity of insects and birds yet still add beauty and balance to the garden.
Pixie decided to erase the error by breaking her year-long record of no counter-surfing; she was feeling left out of the festivities and grabbed her own piece of cake. 
Honestly, it was a day of hilarity and celebration, from the time we removed the cake from its box and started giggling, toasted the day with Prosecco, reminisced over our wedding album photos, and laughed at Pixie’s antics. Forty-four years of loving and laughing has brought its own point of equanimity to our marriage.
When I awake tomorrow, the earth will be poised on its seasonal moment of balance. May you find joy and balance in your days ahead, no matter what comes your way. Happy Equinox!
composerinthegarden 