Do you like January? Usually after Christmas winter sets in around here in Kentucky with snow and frigid winds. Right now here in Kentucky we’re having a taste of the frigid winds but with only a few snowflakes floating around in the air. Hardly enough to notice. But I know some of you who live to the north or west have had plenty of snow already this winter season.
So snow is something to like or not like about January. I do like a little snow each winter. Note the word little. A little snow can turn the world white and then just melt away without causing too much trouble. This snow from 2012 was pretty deep and hung around for a while. At least long enough for me to get some pictures. So that can be a good thing about January – the chance to take some pictures of the beauty of nature.
If you are fortunate enough to have snow and a grandkid around, you might enjoy some snowman sculpting. Then if you don’t have that black top hat like Frosty wore, you can sculpt a hat too. I’ve been known to make a little snowman sometimes when a grandkid isn’t around. In January sometimes, you just have to have some fun in the snow.
January can mean back to school for kids and teachers. At least if snow doesn’t cause postponement of school. January is a great time for watching basketball games if you’re like me and enjoy cheering on your favorite team. And there’s plenty for the football fan too with the Superbowl .
The new year that comes in with January is a great time to think about your goals and what you’ve done in the year that just went by.
With the shorter daylight days and longer nights plus some gray cloudy days it can be a good time to catch up on your sleep or maybe your reading. Except I’m not sure I can ever catch up on my reading. So many books in my want to read pile.
January also has a day to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. At 33, he was pressing the case of civil rights with President John F. Kennedy. At 34, he woke up the nation to the need for changes with his “I Have a Dream” speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1968, he was assassinated at age 39, but he left behind a legacy of hope and inspiration..
I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
~Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
~The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” …the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
So what do you like about January? Or is it just a month to get through to take you closer to spring?
Comments 22
Well, January is also my son’s birthday as well as my great grandson’s birthday so that’s one good thing about January. I don’t care for the cold but like the beauty the white snow can create. I love sitting in where it is warm and reading a good book. Just received your books “Angel Sister” and “Scent of Lilacs” and looking forward to reading them soon and when I finish I shall donate them to my church library as they don’t have those ones of yours. Our church has a fantastic library and new books are added every year. You said your son’s birthday is February, so is mine February 17 and it is approaching quite fast, it seems the older I get the faster the time flies. Blessing to you.
Author
How nice of you to let me know you’re getting ready to visit Rosey Corner with Angel Sister and Hollyhill with Scent of Lilacs. When you get a chance to read them, you’ll have to let me know what you thought of the stories. I do hope you’ll like them. Those are two of the ones I’ve written that I might call my favorites were I to pick a favorite.
Happy birthday month coming up. My son was supposed to come on Groundhog Day but he delayed for a few days and was born on the 8th.
Thank you also for sharing my books with your church family through your church’s library. So many churches have libraries these days. It’s a great resource for members to find books they can enjoy.
In my younger years, I was teaching school in Alabama. I hated going back to work in January after the long Christmas vacation. Back then it was called Christmas vacation; today they call it winter holiday. I always hoped for enough snow so school would be canceled. Everyone would raid the grocery stores for bread and milk. Now, I am retired and living in Tennessee. Everyday is the same. I do a lot of reading and crochet some. I have arthritis in my hands so I can’t crochet as much as I would like. I plan to attend the Southern Kentucky Book Fest in March and look forward to meeting you. I haven’t read any of your books yet but I plan to.
Author
I always think it’s sort of funny that the teachers are praying for soon to give a holiday as much as the kids. I’ve known years when I was hoping for no snow so that school started back up. But don’t tell the kids I said that. LOL. I’m sorry about your arthritis. I have some in my hands too but so far not so bad that typing is hard. I might have more trouble if I was having to use an old fashioned manual typewriter the way I used to have to write.
I do hope you will be able to come to the Book Fest in March. I have such fun meeting people that I’ve met here or on Facebook. Be sure you tell me who you are since I can be terrible with names.
I love January! Maybe because my birthday falls right in the middle of it. But I enjoy winter and snow and all that good stuff. As for sports, I enjoy two, horse racing and hockey. January includes some of the early prep races for the Kentucky Derby, and I follow those closely! Hockey and January go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. As for reading, there is *no* bad time for that. 😉
Author
You are so right, Pegg. Any time is a good time to read a story or two. Happy birthday month. I’m guessing since you said middle that you’ve already tacked on that new year and headed toward the next.
Hope you have a great rest of the month with some hot chocolate while you watch your favorite sports. I’m all about basketball this time of the year.
I enjoy each season. The temperatures have been mild here in the Lowcountry of SC. We do have a cooler temperatures tonight.
Author
It’s cold here today in Kentucky, but around here the weather can change with the puff of a wind, Melissa. I enjoy having seasons where I live too, Melissa. I do have to admit to being a bit partial to spring and fall though. Still winter does have its gifts and so does summer.
January is the month to create with my craft supplies. I started cutting out a rag quilt today with all my scrap material. It will be a mishmash. 🤣
Author
My aunt, who loved to sew, would make a new quilt each winter. It was her way of feeling she was accomplishing something in the cold winter months. I’m sure your quilt will be lovely, Lucy. I have some of what they call crazy quilts made by my family that I treasure.
January and the new year is a great time to re-focus on God’s plans and purposes for our lives…spirit, soul and body. He wants us to be WHOLE in all of our being (Isaiah 53:5) so we need to let Him examine us and see if there is any thing that is hindering us in being WHOLE and let the Holy Spirit help us to take care of anything that is keeping us from walking in God’s fullness. How great and glorious is our Creator…our Heavenly Father. Thankful for His Son and His blood that makes it possible for us to be a part of God’s family and for the Holy Spirit Who is our Helper and our Guide. PTL!
Author
Wonderful reminder, Connie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about how January can be a wonderful time to re-focus on the Lord and the paths He opens up for us.
January is usually a slow month for me. It is a time to hibernate. Take long naps in the afternoon with a cozy blanket with a cat by my side. I like to read and am now reading the Refuge by a lady named Ann. I love to crochet and just finished a stocking hat. I, also, love to get outside and walk in the fresh, clear, cool air – like today. But this January has seemed to rush by so quickly. But I have heard it said, “ that the older you get time goes faster.” I hope this isn’t true.
Author
Thank you for reading my newest story, Eileen. Hope you enjoy your visit to Harmony Hill. Sounds as though you know how to take the right kind of naps and enjoy a January. The month is flying by. I’m not sure why the days seem to pass faster now that I’m older, but they certainly do. I’ve heard people say that for the really elderly, the days can be long, but the years short.
I love January for many reasons. My birthday is January 29. I have always loved the scenic pictures of the trees laden with snow. It was always a challenge to get to work but I did. Now that I am retired, I can have a hot chocolate and look out the window, read, and just enjoy the moment. So many people complain about the cold, the snow, etc., etc. , so I just smile and move on and say a silent prayer, “Thank you God for the day.”
Author
Happy birthday month, Loretta. And the only thing I like better than those scenic pictures of snow and ice is being able to take them myself. When I used to work part time I had some interesting experiences getting out for that job and then even more when I had to help take care of my mother. Couldn’t let a little or a lot of snow stop me then. Had to get out and go. But I’m like you now. Should snow come, I can just enjoy it without have to drive in it. I’ll try to remember to smile and say my thankful prayer for each day whatever the weather and/or the circumstances.
January is a month for new beginnings. I like that different activities start up again like the spring women’s Bible study at my church. My social security amount increased some in January as the new normal for 2020. People usually determine some goals for the new year. I read 74 books last year and have set my goal for 2020 at 75. Since I work part time and do volunteer work as well, 75 is a realistic number of books to read without neglecting some other aspect of my life. I have a positive outlook for 2020!
Author
I think it’s impressive that you read 74 books, Suzanne. Wonderful. I hope you will reach your goal this year too and that you will have gone on many great adventures in the pages of those books. A positive outlook is the best way to welcome a new year.
I like that it finally gets cold and it is a time of rest from leaf raking and other outside chores. Life slows down.
Author
I like the way you think, Loretta. Of course, some people still have those outside chores, only in the snow. Plus those sidewalks have to be shoveled in some places. But I’m like you may be and live where there are no sidewalks and I can clean off my deck or let the sunshine in the days to come help me. But no big snows here yet.
My son was born in January, so that’s a good part! He was 35 on Saturday!
Of course I like to read on those long Winter nights., plus I like to crochet in the Winter so those are good parts.
I would much rather have warm/ hot weather but every day is a gift whether I like the weather or not!🙂
Author
A son’s birth is a great thing to love about January, Lisa. I have a son with a February birthday, and sometimes you have to hunt harder for something to love in that shortest month of the year that can seem the longest. But my son’s birthday is a good reason to celebrate the month.
Hope you read some good books this January or crochet something warm. You are so right that every day is a gift. Having gone through some of the health issue you have, you can embrace those gifts with joy as we all should. Happy Monday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day to you.