[Published in 1996. I’ve recently added subheadings.]
Joys of January
It’s time to lighten about January. Although everyone else seems to hate it, January is my second favorite month, and I don’t even ski.
January is cold, they argue. But that makes it so cozy inside, especially if you have a fireplace or woodburning stove (still in the dream stage with us). Nearly every reading spot in the house has one of those inexpensive and colorful stadium blankets draped on it, adding warmth to the room and an invitation for a chilly human to burrow under.
Soups and stews with crusty warm breads are so comforting in winter. Hot cider and hot chocolate taste even better in cold weather. Hot cider and hot chocolate taste even better in cold weather.
January has snow, they whine. But just think what a drab month it would be without it. Falling snow is so beautiful and has so many personalities: Blustery during a blizzard. Gentle when huge flakes float down. Spiteful when it throws hard grainy pellets. Sophisticated when rain glosses a pristine expanse of white. magical when it glitters. Playful when the wind swirls up powdery flakes.
January is bleak and boring, they go on. But quiet and solitude are so welcome, especially after all the hecticness of the holidays.
Time
There is time to watch it snow and observe how it transforms familiar landscapes. How it wraps the neighbor’s house in a white velvet cape, caps the birdfeeder with ermine, weaves frosty ribbons in the chain-link fence.
There is time to watch the birds, and winter is the best time of the entire year to do that. Even in the middle of town, dozens of feathered fliers visit our feeders–goldfinches, cardinals, bluejays, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, brown creepers, and more–a bright myriad of sizes, shapes, colors, personalities.
There is time for squirrel watching, also the best now. Squirrels stay all winter, nesting in the tops of mature trees. After most of the birds have eaten, the squirrels perform some grooming and stretching rituals before climbing down. They did in the snow for their breakfast of corn kernels, chewing with a dusting of white on their bright, droll faces. After eating their fill and patting some extra morsels under the snow for late, squirrels do some chasing. Then one will stay back to patch and fortify the nest with leaves, and do quite a bit of tail flopping. What fun to watch.
You have to make those darned resolutions. Well, maybe the ones you make are too unrealistic. Make sure they are reasonable. If they make January miserable for you, do what I do: Don’t make any resolutions.
You can’t get any exercise. Waking through snow is good exercise (in case you did make that resolution). Walking while it’s snowing is mesmerizing. Take time to enjoy it. Even bundling up to go outside will warm you. And there’s always the malls.
January is lonely. Then invite someone over for a cup of hot tea or a warm bowl of soup and a good laugh. Get an amaryllis bulb and watch it grow and unfurl those amazing blooms. And count your blessings.
Time, the greatest gift
It gets dark early in January. Yes! What a great time to hibernate with a warm blanket and a good book, or those magazines that have piled up. How about starting to jot down those memoirs you promised a son or daughter? January’s greatest gift to us is time.
It’s windy in January. You got me there. I hate wind, too. But it will be worse in March.
People get sick in January. Yes, but it’s even the best month to catch a cold: Watching the snow fall outside, watching birds at the feeder, watching squirrels play. Chicken soup, potato soul, warm V-8, hot blackberry tea. A flannel nightgown or jammies, fuzzy slippers, crossword puzzles. And Iowa and Iowa State basketball on TV.
There, don’t you agree that January is a great month?
[January 11, 1996, The Dallas County News]
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For followers in the Southern Hemisphere, would some of these be your Joys of July?
Beautiful! I love the things you mentioned, Joy! Comfy nooks to curl up in with cozy blankets…a warm beverage. Yes, yes! ❤️🥰❤️
Thank you, Vicki! They’re still true today. (I just took a 5-block mosey, chilly but wonderful!)
Love your moseys! ❤️🥰❤️
You’ve put January back into its proper perspective!
Thank, Dennis. And that’s an Iowa winter!
Are you OK, Joy?
I loved this, although it hasn’t changed my mind about January. A nail-biting drive to church on Sunday reminded me of what I dislike most about January (and February this year) — the wild temperature swings, rain, which then freezes the roads into skating rinks, ice pellets, sleet, and wind .. serious wind.
On a personal note, I was supposed to meet with my surgeon on February 9 to finalize a date for my shoulder surgery. That appointment was just postponed to February 23. I am disappointed, annoyed and unhappy.
Well, you’re farther north, but I agree with the wild temperature swings. I just took a chilly 5-block mosey, but hey, it’s not slick! I do hate ice! I’m disappointed and annoyed with your, Gail, about your postponement. Bummer.
Are you OK?
We’re hanging in there! I just had another nap and I’ve moseyed outside twice already, just 4 and 5 blocks, but refreshing. Bless you, Gail.
I won’t call it a favorite month, but I like January just fine! This time of year we have the bird feeders out. We still walk the dogs 2 miles daily. Have fireplace and blankets. Hot drinks, etc. Plenty to do and to read. Hurray for January!
Thanks, Eilene. When we lived in Aurora, winter didn’t last long when it showed up. The worst part was being stuck behind a flat-lander in a Mustang in traffic after it had snowed.
Yes, I agree that January is a great month. You’re a woman after my own heart!
Yeah, Liz!
😊
Snow is pretty, and it quiets noises. It provides a lot of work for me, though, and concern about driving.
Thank you, Tim. And the worry about falling!
It’s snowing pretty heavy here right now and the church bible study for tonight has been cancelled. I’ll be clearing snow from our driveway and the driveway and sidewalk of the 95-year-old neighbor across the street.
Bless you, Tim, for helping your neighbor! I’m thankful you won’t be driving in it.
We just need to find the goodness in things. I love winter because of the silence it brings, which lets me read more. Exercising…shoveling snow is definitely a great workout. Thank you for republishing this excellent piece.
Edward, I appreciate your reaction.
I’m with you, Joy. I love January. When all my appendages are frozen in the icy outdoors and then I defrost them in my kind of warm home, it’s invigorating! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy!
Hi Joy, it is very hot in January here in South Africa. We swelter and just can’t get cool. That being said, I’ll take out heat over your cold any day. I don’t like cold weather and South Africans melt in rain 😂🤣
You’re having our July weather now. Thank you, Robbie!