I just hung up my new January calender for the year… A little late.. but it just appeared from under a stack of books.   January New Year’s Resolutions don’t appeal to me because, I usually don’t last the month…especially if my resolutions include dieting.  Gave up that foolishness a long time ago.  However, I am going to over-come my January “Winter Blues” by thinking of all the things that make me happy about coldest month of the year here in Utah.   Kind of a late gratitude month.   So here we go… My January Appreciation List.

1.  I like January because, I spend very little money. Shopping is such a bore to me anytime.  So, the cold weather, icy roads are a great excuse not to go out and buy anything.  Forging around in the fridge and cupboards for a few weeks, so I don’t have to go into a grocery store, suits me just fine.

2.  I like January because, the days are getting longer. Yep, they are.  Dec. 21 was the winter solstice (the day when the sun reaches it’s lowest point in the sky and seems to stand still.  The sun is at it’s greatest distance away from the northern hemisphere.  The longest night and the shortest day.  Thought you’d enjoy a little science lesson here.)  Even though it’s considered the first day of Winter… we are a little closer to spring.   In January, it’s gratifying to know that we gain a few more minutes of daylight each day.

3.  I like January because, I have a good excuse to go to bed early. Because it gets dark early, and my “need for sleep” response kicks about 10:00, I get a few more hours sleep than usual.  In the summer… it doesn’t seem to be an option to go to bed until about 1:00 in the morning.

4.  I like January because, I allow my imagination to run wild. I dream of all the deep cleaning that will get done… and the home repairs that will be made and the new blinds that are going to appear at my bare windows.  Dream On!

5.  I like January because, the mounds of snow make my yard look as good as every other yard around. Keeping up with some of my neighbors and their beautiful summer yards can be a considerable challenge.

6.  I like January because, I feel justified in reading a good book or watching a movie. Curling up with a good book or jumping in a warm bed, putting in a DVD and settling down to a good movie is so rewarding.  I just finished the HBO John Adams mini series.  It’s soooo good…. I highly recommend it.  Picked it up at Hollywood Video.  Besides it’s 3 DVD’s long… and kept me happy as a lark for three nights.

7.  I like January because, I get to read the New Year thoughts of my daughter, Katie and my daughter-in-law, Martha. Their blogs are so enlightening and  fun… you must go see.

8.  I like January because, I get paid. Getting paid only 4 times a year can some times be a challenge. But, January is one of those months where there is a check in the mail. Something to look forward to.

9.  I like January because there is fresh citrus in the stores…cheap! I love oranges and grapefruit.  I lived in Arizona  for a few years and the citrus harvest begins in December.  But… in January, the stores abound with citrus at a reasonable price.  My sister, Sheila, just brought me fresh pink grapefruit that is so sweet… it is like eating oranges.  Love em.

10.  I especially like this January because, I have a new snow blower. My brother in law, Dew, gave me a snow blower and… with the mounds of snow we’ve had in the past few days… it’s been a January blessing.

There you go… No reason to have the “Winter Blues” when I can come up with a list like that.  Right?

Till Later

Kathy Griffiths
Insightful Nana

P.S.   What makes your January happy?