As fall moves into winter, daylight wanes and darkness creeps in signaling the return of my melancholy moods. Winter is down time and the beach and forest walks I often take provide the restful solitude I crave during the dormant months. Days can be gloomy but sometimes a bright but soft light appears, especially in the late afternoon with the sun low on the horizon. Light and shadow come to life lifting my spirits. I see the world in monochrome; it’s the pure light that grabs me. There are many shades of winter but best are those bathed in that soft comforting light that invigorates me through days of winter’s leaden skies. This feeling lingers for a while but then disappears just like the changing weather.