Thoughts on the New Year

January waits for no one. We have been digging out from a winter storm and today was the first day we had some warmth and sunshine. The snow began melting along the sidewalks and the edges of the street where the plows had piled snow that froze into ice mountains. The dog and I re-discovered our favorite paths and she (the dog) found that snow enhanced some of the smells along our way.

January is a dark and cold month. The holidays have blown by us and now we have to face the reality of winter, of work (or school), and of the short dark days. It feels like the month lasts forever, but here we are on January 12, approaching the middle of the month already.

My book, True Blue, will not even be ready for pre-order for 5 more months (June 9) and I have yet to see the galleys for it, so the book exists more in my mind than in a real way for me. I continue to think of ways to market, places to read, people to contact; however, the January doldrums keep me warmly on my sofa. I curl up with a cup of hot tea or coffee, with the dog by my side, the cat behind me and dream. Yet, the cold makes me move less, keeps my actions small (and warm), and seems to stall any movement.

I think I need to learn from the birds. They take cover in the wind and snow, but today when the sun shone brightly and warmed the edges of the snow a little, all the tiny sparrows were out looking for seeds and winter berries. They didn’t stray far from the nest, but they went out a bit. There’s a lesson there. Take it small. Stay close to your nest. But don’t be afraid to look for what you need.