An air of excitement blows through the woods today as the inhabitants anticipate the arrival of the festive season. Tobacco-speared buddlea punctuate the skyline, swathed in a downey shawl of Old Man Beard. Trees sport ivy breeches, rocks and branches capped in velveteen moss. As the sun lowers in the sky, robins squabble over crimson berries and fermenting fruits. Pheasants scoot in and out of the skeleton bracken, reminding me to pause, breathe, reflect on the precious gifts of nature...
