Longer, colder nights…but solstice is not far away, when days get longer again.  Fairy lights still glitter in the dark.  The snow-frozen garden greens appear to have survived somehow.  I’m already thinking gardeny thoughts and plans, which keeps me going.  Though I just want to hibernate, I try to resist my instincts and carry on, if only for others that may need me.  If other mammals can do it, so can I.  (Looking at you, raccoons and possums.)  I’m getting good at foraging for food scraps.  It won’t be dark forever.  Yep, a garden metaphor, so shoot me!