Hygge.

A Danish word so ridiculous and warm and delicious it is almost always accompanied by a parenthetical pronunciation guide. (pronounced: Hue-gah). It sounds like hug and a big of a cheer, a rousing cry of community.

And that is sort of what Hygge is.

Our current bleak midwinter advances and retreats, gives stark greys and starting cardinals, offers eye-stinging winds and harsh sunlight, pushes us ever forward towards responsibilities and duty; hygge is our buttress against it all. It is warmth and simplicity and comfort and ease.

We light candles and we commune.

We bake bread and slather the warm slices with butter or jams.

I try to unburden mind and soul by clearing clutter. I fluff couches, we snuggle. Heads are rested against shoulders.

We should probably eat more soup.

We laugh when we can, our ultimate dragon glass against winter and any foe trying to jackboot…