After posting about our short days and limited direct sunlight, friends sent their sympathy and reminders that the days will soon get longer.

Alas, friends, I am grateful for your concern and support, but your sympathy is misplaced: I love this time of year! I’m in no rush for longer days.

These aren’t up for just the holiday; these are up for winter.

I adore getting up in the dark and having several hours of quiet, cozy time to read and write. Colored lights on the ceiling, fragrant candles, warm tea, the heater by my side, and time to think and create—what’s not to like? It’s not uncommon for me to sneak out of bed at 4 a.m. to get a jump on the morning’s writing or to sneak off to bed at 8 p.m. for some extra reading. Only when it’s this dark and cold is this permissible.

That’s not to say I don’t like summertime. I love summer equally. But summer is different. It’s light all the time, and I’m outside early and late, and writing and reading and creating take a backseat to growing and harvesting.

Let’s not forget these winter lights. When the sun’s here all the time, we don’t get to see these.

One of the things I like about Alaska is the dramatic difference between the seasons, of which I tend to think there are two: summer and winter. Spring and fall last about a week each. The change in conditions and activities results in a nicely balanced cycle that makes me aware of the passage of time.

I know many people dread the snow, cold, and dark days of winter. I’m not one of them. Welcome, winter! I’m glad you’re here.