this solstice

We were up before the sun this morning.
Color crept into the sky, gray to pink to blue.

We drove south with an empty trailer
to the ranch of an old family friend.
Dell, Montana is windswept
and streaked with frozen snow -
but it feels so close to the sky.




The seam of hilltop
to horizon can be hard
to find.



This lady licked my hand
and let me pat her head.
I would have brought her home
if those horns would fit
in the trailer.

Have you ever seen a more joyful looking pig?

As we turned for home
the afternoon light grew weak
and we stopped for lunch
at this old schoolhouse-turned-cafe.


Our three new shaggy friends
waited patiently for us
to take them home.