I admit to being unenthusiastic at first about the idea of an outdoor fire in windy sub-zero weather while we lit a bonfire to celebrate the Wolf Full Moon, the first full moon of the New Year.

According to the Native Americans, the wolves came out to howl that night. We didn’t hear any, but the fire was warm enough for a while.

I had to quit before Maria did, but I was out for an hour. Maria wasn’t going anywhere until the Wolf Moon came up in the sky.

We lit the fire and piled some kindling and branches we had been saving for it. This was Zinnia’s first fire, I believe; she was puzzled by it at first and then sat watching with her head on my knee. When I got up to take a picture, she watched the first with Maria; I loved the image of these two sweet women.

Fate was with us, but she was off by the Pole Barn staring at the sheep for no particular reason.

I got cold and had to go inside, but Maria waited until the Wolf Moon overcame the hills. She texted me this photo.  I was in the farmhouse waiting for my toes to thaw out.

Maria is very close to nature; one day, I expect she will go out and live in the woods for a while. She doesn’t really need the creature comforts most humans require, and she is strong and athletic.

There is a Pagan undercurrent – or perhaps it’s an overcurrent- to the farm. I will never understand how Maria and I ended up, but I understand that we were meant to be with one another. The Gods decided that. Bless them.