Crisp mornings often bring the most beautiful sunrise with everything all aglow in orange and pink, and this morning the bright moon overhead. I wish I could capture the peace that comes with the earliest beginning of a new day and add it to my coffee all day long. The way the horses stand waiting by the fence for their morning oats, so still and yet ears alert for my approaching steps, and the bulls who are always bedded down when I run, but when the hay sled comes out, they struggle to their feet and amble to wherever we’re feeding that day.

There are always some small, or large, chores to be done: make sure the tumbleweeds are pulled out of the stock tank, that the heater is working, and that the water level is good; run a load of laundry, prep supper to be fixed in the evening, sweep or vacuum or put away the pots and pans left to dry from the night before-all those little things that keep life humming along.

Today I trimmed the bottom of the tree and brought it in, fixing it into the tree stand. Tonight I’ll put the lights on and that will bring the warmth of the season to fill our home. There is just something I love about the glow of Christmas lights.