The Eve of Winter

"Nature looks dead in winter because her life is gathered into her heart. She withers the plant down to the root that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger. She calls her family together within her inmost home to prepare them for being scattered abroad upon the face of the earth"

From "Rejuvenescence," The Ministry of Nature, published in 1871 by Hugh Macmillan (1833-1903)

Autumn is well and truly done now, and tomorrow is the meteorological start of winter. And as we are now in Advent, I am ready to acknowledge that Christmas is on the way too!