Learning to embrace winter, yes, but also any period of our lives that demands we slow down, turn inward and reinvent. I call it cocooning, like the stage in the lifecycle of a moth or butterfly.

"Plants and animals depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators. Scientific research suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and plants.” – DarkSky International

When did leaves become the enemy? What harm are they doing? If you are into insects and native plants you’ve probably heard the phrase “leave the leaves.” This clarion call reminds us that fallen leaves are a vital component to a healthy ecosystem. As leaves decay they return nutrients to the soil. Commercial fertilizers and mulch pale in comparison to the rich compost created by leaves if left where they fall to decompose.