It’s so hard–maybe even impossible–to get our minds fully around the changes that Covid has imposed on us since the beginning of 2020. Some may live in a rosy fantasy bubble (“It’ll disappear!” “Children are virtually immune!”). But the rest of us . . .

The world is clamoring for our attention in an even more persistent chorus than usual. In this era of Covid-19, we’re told to cancel nonessential gatherings, shelter in place, and wash our hands. We worry about family members and friends–especially our elders and those who are working in health care or trying to figure out how to manage the kids when their schools are closed or . . . .

The circle of the year has turned again, and we’ve entered another holiday season. Bill and I (and Molly too, of course) always enjoy spending a few early-winter weeks at our cabin in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north-central New Mexico, where I can get my “snow fix” for the year. When the Ponderosa pines are covered with snow, they are picture-postcard pretty.