The official start of winter is approaching, the days gradually changing from autumn to the next season. Colder temperatures, shorter days, in a time when many prepare for celebrations of upcoming holidays. This year so much of that has changed, I suspect many may find it difficult to plan for festivities. This has been a year to gain a better understanding of uncertainty about our routines, work, school, shopping, social lives and our health. We’ve taken for granted a level of control over our lives that was suddenly yanked away by outside forces.

This very strange year is getting closer to its end. As part of the yearly cycle this time of year is associated with harvest, preparing for winter and holiday celebrations. The days are cooler, animals growing fatter as they prepare for the winter months while farmers bring crops in and prepare their fields for a time of rest.

  Today is a holiday and I’ve enjoyed a break from work. An odd break this year, it meant that I didn’t feel obligated to check work email while I’m at home, but it is a break from the normal routine. I’m also grateful that our temperatures have dropped down to just hot summer temperatures. After the readings I’ve seen on our outdoor thermometer, I thought I might need to get a block of ice to tape to the outside sensor so it wouldn’t melt.

Several years ago, I started writing and posting an article every two weeks. It was a challenge to myself to see if I could keep to a schedule for writing. I am amazed to look back and see almost four years of posts, almost all of them written every two weeks in spite of challenges in my life and at my day job.