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Winter Lights
and longest nights
Hello friends,
It’s almost the Winter Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere while those of you down south are mid-summer. I always like to pause at the solstices and equinoxes and take stock, reflect, breathe, appreciate and make plans.
During these celestial events, some of us gather with friends, while some hibernate in our burrows. And others of us? Anything having to do with holidays can become a source of pain.
Myself? In the midst of working, reflecting, and planning, I’m also taking refuge in my gratitude, despite the very real woes of the world.
Things I’m grateful for this week:
My daily walks. Squirrels and birds. Rain and sun. Cups of tea. New storm windows (our old ones were over thirty years old, covered in mildew, and barely functioning). A warm home and enough food to eat. Love, friendship, and creativity. Music, both new and old. Lights shining in the darkness. Stories captured between the pages of books…
This week, I feel ready for the longest night, and the days of winter yet to come. I appreciate slowing down both inside and out after the busy days of spring and summer. There is silence inside my heart, a silence that brings a sense of peace.
How do you mark the solstice? What are you planning? And what do you feel grateful for?
Wishing you peace, wherever you are.
best wishes — Thorn
Some news, both cheerful and less cheerful:
Cheerful: The Holiday StoryBundle is still happening if you’re in the mood to curl up with some fiction. Remember, it’s pay what you can!
Less cheerful: This week, over 170 writers posted a Substackers Against Nazis letter, voicing concerns about the financial support given to far-right commentators on this platform. I’m still deciding whether I will stay here (something I ponder periodically since joining this platform. This isn’t the first time I’ve written the owners). Please trust that my weekly newsletter won’t go away! If I move, I will transfer my current subscriber list with me. But I wanted to let you know what’s up. You can read the letter below:
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