Whoops, there goes autumn. Its colors and brilliance. What’s left is, admittedly, a rather gray time—rainy and damply cold. It’s a time to slow down and settle, much like the autumn leaves that have already shown their best colors.

This past week, we received a big load of firewood for the winter. The storage is now completely packed. We rushed to get the wood under cover before the rain, and to my surprise, we finished in just two evenings—record speed. I used to do this on my own, but now E was helping. Two people get the job done twice as fast. Or, well, I spent more time fiddling with the camera while E was busy stacking the wood. I focused on laughing at the dogs' antics and expressions as they each kept an eye on the yard work in their own way.

The outdoor storage shed was transformed into a "studio" over the summer, housing all our music-making gear, lights, and speakers, providing an extra workspace for creative projects. Since there isn’t much extra room at home, and we don’t have any doors to close off for peace (except the bathroom), it was perfect. At times, we’ve even had to take phone calls in the sauna for some quiet!

The shed became a great workspace during the warm season, especially for E, who makes music and works on various creative projects. I regret not taking more photos of the studio setup—MacBooks and tech equipment sat side by side with skis, snowboards, and firewood stacks. It was quite a sight!

The darkness has already stolen hours from both the mornings and evenings. Mornings are my favorite time. They’re peaceful, quiet, without any schedule, rush, or planning. I spend long moments with a cup of coffee, either by candlelight or at the window, watching as the squirrels, now wearing their winter coats, frantically gather moss from the trees to warm their winter nests.

It’s easy to find peace and quiet here. Not always, but when it’s missing, it’s usually because of my own actions or the clutter in my head. In those moments, I try to focus on one thing at a time—holding my coffee cup, taking slow breaths, and following the squirrel’s wooden pathways through the trees.

Darkness also brings a sense of peace. With each passing year, I find more comfort and calm in it. It’s like a blanket you pull over yourself at night. Even though you might not need it, it provides a sense of safety and the feeling that everything is okay.

Darkness is much the same. It forces you to stop or, at the very least, to slow down.

At one point in my life, I dreamed of owning a wilderness cabin far away from everything, beyond the reach of roads. A place without electricity or artificial light. I wonder what it would feel like to live entirely by natural light—or the absence of it—even for short periods. I believe it would do us all some good to try it. You get glimpses of it when you hike to wilderness huts and spend the night there, with only the small flame of the stove for light, surrounded by dark wooden walls. I’ve done that surprisingly little this fall. I’ll have to fix that soon.

There are still a few winter tasks left, like cleaning the roof of moss and leaves before the snow arrives. A few days ago, the first snowflakes fell, though they didn’t settle on the ground. I was so excited that I found myself cheering while driving through the fell villages.

Winter is on its way, and I can’t wait.

If I may offer any advice, I’d encourage you to try spending an evening, even just a few hours, by natural light. Let the darkness come when it will, and if you need a light source, light a few candles to bring a gentle glow to your home. Feel the calm that darkness brings. Perhaps it makes you tired, sleepy. That’s okay. It’s very natural, just as it should be.

I’m so glad you’re here. Wishing you peace in your dark evenings <3