December 21 was Yule, the Winter Solstice, the much awaited first day of Winter. That day of the year when the night is the longest, meaning that every day after this one will bring a little more light. As a pagan, I contemplated the metaphor that this celestial event can be. It is a time of rebirth and renewal. It is the fact that though there are dark periods in life, if you endure, then there will be light as well. It is the promise of better things. All these thoughts and more I pondered.

   

     In celebration I ventured out to Echo Lakes to revel in the snow. I trekked to the head of Lower Echo Lake and had lunch as I basked in the sights of the nearby snow capped peaks surrounding the not yet frozen lake. The view from the vista point that overlooks Lake Tahoe and the neighboring mountains was stunning as always. The highlight of my revelry was repeatedly sledding down a short hill. As I made my way back my mind began to wander, thinking of all the things I would have to take care of when I got home, and things I would have to deal with over the next few months. I began to get a little a little stressed out, then I quieted my noisy brain and reminded myself to be here, present in this moment, that what I was experiencing would never happen again. Appropriately, I am sure this will be echoing in my mind for at least the next few days.

     I do have an entertainment recommendation this week, a podcast. It’s called Serial. It’s a true story about a young woman who was murdered in 1999 and her ex-boyfriend who was convicted for the crime. As usual, I won’t give any spoilers, but the first season just wrapped up so you can binge listen to all twelve episodes. Even if you’re not into true crime it’s fascinating enough that you’ll still like it.

     Until next time, remember, sometimes you have to make your own luck.