We have reached the winter solstice in the south. As much as the north is enjoying the longest day, we are about to experience the longest night. There are great preparations in this house to complete a project that has been keeping us busy for a number of weeks, the restoration of a bedroom cracked at it's seams. In a poetic manner somehow the walls cracking were symbolic of the turmoil of the occupant of the room, my daughter. She has weathered the storm of her life, and is now starting fresh. Her colour scheme is an appropriate choice for the cold weather we are experiencing at this time of the year. Think of plum and burgandy, majestic violet and slow dance. All the colours she has chosen, and how these beautiful warm colours are blending to make her room look splendid and cosy at the same time. The eye can convince the brain that all coldness is dispelled in a room full of rich vibrant colours.

We are not cold in this house. We are fortunate to have a gas heater, hot water, warm food and one another for company. Beds with winter linen and a sturdy roof over our heads. We are blessed with the fruits of our labour. Being DIY nuts, it is our labour that keeps us up until midnight finishing off projects that are shelved because of a busy working week. By keeping busy the winter is flying by. Tomorrow the room will be completed and hopefully the princess will be able to hibernate there comfortably for the remainder of winter. She is suitably appreciative and I am hoping that the disrupted household will return to normality after the decluttering of a teenage bedroom is finally sorted. We have quite a long way to go with the rest of the house as my father has offloaded the contents of his home too. There will be cause for celebration when we are finished with the big tidy-up, candles and wine would be appropriate. A friend of mine recently commented how much she loved winter. That is great if one has a roof over one's head, warm clothing and all the home comforts that make winter fun. Not fun for everyone though.

To commemorate this longest cold night, I have a poem to share.

DISGRACE

The rain is falling silently

There is a storm on the way

The clouds are building on the horizon

Wind is beginning to whip the day

Night is due within hours

And we will lock our doors

Venture out only if you must

This storm velocity roars

DISGRACE is not a well used word

It is likened to a storm

It is cold comfort in the night

DISGRACE is the devil's form

It is the tail of a dog caught stealing

Headlines of a newspaper revealing

The weeping of a man deceiving

A child distraught with grieving

It is likened to a storm above

Indiscriminate betrayal of love

Cold and sinister, no recourse

Disgrace is blame, nature's force.

Eve (c) 2008

And thus friends, the longest night of the year for us has just begun. Time to close the curtains, put on the gas heater and forget our troubles until tomorrow. Our four dogs and one cat are very grateful for the comforts that their two- legged human family are fond of enjoying on these cold nights. No venturing out tonight!

Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere, next stop Antarctica!