We went snowshoeing on the lake this morning and then again at sunset. Sunset was at   4:26 p.m, a red streak across the lake. I ran after you and Dad and had to stop to bite sticks and snowbits that iced up between my pads. I wrote some doggerel. Read it aloud for special effect. 

SNOWSHOEING ON THE SOLSTICE

    I ran and ran, my pink tongue wagging,

   along with my tail, my body was bragging.

I had to stop to bite off bits; 

between my paws were icy chits.

I bit a stick, a stick I bit,

my favorite snack is well-bit stick.

I bit your snowshoes.

You waved your poles.

We all pressed forward making snow-holes.

Crossing the lake with shoes, poles and paws,

deer families before us

had  just as much cause.

All our patterns are very pretty.

The sky was singing its streaky, red ditty.

         This day was ours to chase and prance

to share the air in an outdoor dance.

         Advice from Oliver: If you snowshoe on the solstice, make it fast.