This morning I woke with the notion that I'd squeeze every ounce I could out of the solstice, the shortest day of the year. Now, here I sit and it's only 8:28 a.m. and I can report that I have already experienced feelings of joy and elation. A bit much? But it's true. Hiking first thing after a night of rain, with mist rising from the ground and every tree glistening, just puts you in a most spiritual frame of mind. Don't worry though, I'm sure I'll come back down to earth right quick when Cara and I go to Ellsworth to finish up our x-mas shopping. In the meantime, get outside and enjoy the sensory pleasures of our beautiful Mother Earth.