Soft

The softness of the seeds surpassed anything I'd ever felt: wool, llama or alpaca fiber, silk....

A pod (the dried canoe at the top of the picture) broke open. These milkweed seeds spilled onto the desiccated grass that makes up the rows where we're planting Christmas trees. The individual strands were fine fibers, and after taking a picture, I lifted them gently into my hands, parched from digging in clay.

A gust caught them from my palm, and they all scattered. One flew high and far, spinning as fast as a top the whole way.

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

• What new experience will you have this week?

Think of someone who's looking forward to the week ahead, and share your answer and this newsletter with them.

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This Week on the Farm

Today, Light in Winter subscriptions open up!

We have three special offers this year, with each version of the newsletter running November through February:

• Light in Winter, Season 2 (Weekly Letter through Mail): This year's Light in Winter season will take a new look at winter and how we can find a way through a cold, dark time of year. This subscription gives you a weekly letter through the post.

• Light in Winter, Season 2 (Weekly Email): This year's Light in Winter season, receiving the same stories as the weekly letter, but through email each Wednesday.

• Light in Winter, Season 1 (Weekly Email): Season 1 is filled with sheep, maple syrup, leaves, and all other manner of good things to think about during winter. It will be emailed each Wednesday.

This is a limited time offer. Subscription orders close October 31 for the emailed series; the mailed series is only open until October 27.

We look forward to sharing the season with you!