life in solstitio brumali

"A cold coming they had of it at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year to take a journey, and specially a long journey in. The ways deep, the weather sharp, the days short, the sun farthest off, in solstitio brumali, the very dead of winter."

Selected Sermons and Lectures, Lancelot Andrewes

Happy Christmas everyone 

(1977 sketch by the Fool for a never completed Nativity scene)

life on the hill (XI)

Now then. I'll need a few rolls of chicken wire, some metal poles, and a few planks and slates for the coop … (and to keep the Begum away in the city for a couple of days to allow construction to proceed undetected and unimpeded). Piece of cake.

(Oh, and some old countrywoman to kill the chickens when the time comes to add them to the pot –  I'm OK with guns, but knives leave me in a cold sweat).

Post by Mother Earth News Magazine.