The shortest day - THE LONGEST NIGHT

As many of you already know, today is the first day of WINTER. And if you’ve read or listened to anything I’ve posted, you know I’m a sun chaser, so winter isn’t exactly my favorite time of year. I wrote some blogs last year about trying to embrace fall and winter—and the challenges (physically and mentally) that come with that.

I think this is actually the first year I haven’t complained about the weather before the first day of winter.

Don’t get me wrong—I’ve fussed a little. I’ve fussed when the wind is whipping the siding off the house and trying to destroy my greenhouse… and now our Christmas blow-ups.

I’ve fussed because it got REAL COLD, REAL FAST, and I hadn’t winterized the chicken coop. Y’all know I can’t have my girls getting too cold up in Birds & Bourbon.

But honestly? I really feel like I embraced fall this year. The slowing down. The earlier nights. The quiet. Taking time to be intentional (possibly my "word" for 2026).

Fall feels like a deep sleep to me.

Winter feels like a coma.

Full-on shutdown.

I’d seriously consider straddling an electric fence for a solid five seconds if it meant we could jump straight to spring. BUUUUT, since that’s not an option, I’m choosing to keep leaning in—being thankful every day I get out of my snuggle saddle and ride the day into the sunrise with a smile on my face.

And here’s the wild part…

This is the first year I’ve ever looked forward to the first day of winter.

Why?

Because me and some of my best girls gathered ’round, broke bread, and then jaunted our happy little selves over to a nearby nursing home where we sang Christmas carols up and down the hallways. We spread joy. That’s what we did—and I DING DANG LOVED IT!!!

I got a little teary-eyed a couple of times. For a couple of reasons.But I’m not going there.

Instead, I want to sit right here in what today actually represents.

Today is the winter solstice—the shortest day and the longest night of the entire year. It’s the moment when the earth is tilted farthest away from the sun.

But... guess what fellow sun chasers?

After today, the light starts coming back.

Minute by minute.

Day by day.

Animals know this instinctively. Chickens lay fewer eggs and conserve their energy. Deer bed down more. Bears (the lucky ones) hibernate completely. Nature doesn’t fight winter—it rests. It slows its heartbeat and waits.

And it’s not just the animals—plants are in on it too!

Above ground, it looks dead. Bare gardens, naked trees, nothing happening. But underground? Roots are storing energy. Seeds are waiting. Perennials are holding their ground!

Plants slow down, protect what matters, and trust that spring is coming. Quiet, unseen work.

And humans?

Well… we’re animals too, whether we admit it or not — some proudly and unapologetically feral, while others are just hiding their feral a little better than others.

Less sunlight messes with our circadian rhythm. Our serotonin dips. Our bodies crave carbs, naps, and fat pants with an elastic waistband that forgives our poor (yet delicious) life choices. Seasonal blues are real. The urge to cocoon is real. The desire to cancel everything and stay home is very real.

But the solstice reminds us that this darkness isn’t permanent.

It’s a turning point.

Even on the darkest day, the light is already planning its return.

Winter never asked us to push harder, we did that all on our own. At least I know I did.

But maybe what it IS asking is for us to listen, rest, reflect, and tend to each other—the way we did in that nursing home hallway, singing songs and watching faces light up.

Today is dark.

But it’s also hopeful.

And maybe—just maybe—I can make peace with winter knowing that every single day from here on out carries a little more light than the day before.

In the meantime, I'll be keeping warm in my fleece lined bibs. NEXT!