Even though the days are lengthening and my horses will begin shedding by the end of January, we are at the beginning of the bleak time.
But it’s the season of Epiphany, touched off by the kings bringing Jesus gifts. It’s a word I associate with a cartoon light bulb going off over my head.
Maybe it’s time to look for that insight, for enjoying the small things that enrich like reading a book, or watching an absorbing Netflix series that lifts your spirits. A bunch of flowers might brighten your home.
Who says Christmas cookies are only for Christmas? There’s nothing like the smell of baking to warm and comfort. (If you made a resolution to lose weight, try a new recipe that goes along with your plan.)
Get outside and walk. Look for the beauty in your neighborhood. Or take a hot bath. Let the warmth hold you. Find ways to restore your soul until the sun pushes back those long nights, the grass turns green, and you hear water squeaking between the blades.
I’m Katie Andraski, and that’s my perspective. If you’d like to hear me read this, click here.
This was first posted on WNIJ, Tuesday, January 2 here.
On Facebook, Winn Collier author of Love Big Be Well asked us to write one thing that gives us hope. Here’s what I wrote: Look for light that finds its way into your house. It might slant along the walls, striped by Venetian blinds or flash pink in the shape of your windows. The light of the world. The sun rises. The moon rises. They both set. Breath. I get to breathe. And eat. And feel my body warm (or cold if it’s below zero.) And hear the ground crackle under my feet. And smell a freshly mown field. And smell the low notes of freshly dropped road apples.
What do you do to survive these gray, cold, snowy months before spring? What brings you hope?
Another inspiring post. Smiling now and grateful for your words.
Thank you so much…
Good words, Katie.
Puts me in mind of a hopefully mournful favorite song of mine by Layton Howerton, “Lonely January.”
Do you know Layton, Katie? I think you and Bruce would like him and his music.
Thanks. No we don’t know Layton Howerton or that song. I looked for it on You Tube but couldn’t find it. It sounds like we would like his music.
I couldn’t find it on YouTube either, which is a shame, but it’s off Layton’s album “Dyed In The Wool.” I think that you and Bruce would like Layton’s music, very comfortably country, not Nashville, I mean, just rural, often pastoral, faith-filled and human from an artist’s view. Go to Layton’s website, if it’s still there.
Lonely January 4:14 Layton Howerton Dyed In The Wool Country & Folk 0 9
Here’s a favorite Layton Howerton song of mine. I hope it posts from YouTube. It’s called “Into The Beautiful.”
https://youtu.be/A8h1rUx2H-o
Thanks so much. I’m listening to it now.
We’ll have to look for it…Thanks…
Everyday from now on until Ken Kesey day, April 1st, is Winterfest!!
That’s for sure. Winterfest is a good way to look at it!
I love this, Katie. You always find light and beauty in all seasons. Actually, more and more i’m loving winter… its stark simplicity, its bleak beauty. Sheridan and I just got back from a frigid walk, and I pretended I was in Iona, although it is surely colder here than there–just feels colder than it is in Scotland, because of the gales of wind. Thank you for sharing and suggesting ways to warm the soul. I loved hearing your voice!
xoxo
Lynn
Thank you so much for your kind words. I like how winter is so bracing and just found some gloves that are well designed and work pretty well in the bitter cold. What fun to imagine Iona. Well, spring is coming soon! But I’d sure enjoy a lovely snowstorm…
Inspiring,love reading your words. Always raises my spirits. Keep up the great work
Thanks
Thank you so much. What a kind affirmation of what I’m trying to do.
While many think the only way to enjoy the sun in winter is to migrate to warmer climates for a vacation, there are so many opportunities to appreciate the sun at home. Ray, in my Bible Study group tells of his 18 month old granddaughter noticing every time the sunbeams in their apartment lands in a different spot. Dogs and cats always have a way of finding rest and contentment in sunbeams around the home. Living in a century old home, the windows are smaller, but our renovations – including a glass block window in our washroom helps us enjoy a sun bath every time we visit it on a cold sunny day. The light coming in our backroom picture window (still under renovations) adds light from the south. I look forward to having a comfortable chair for reading books in that location. When I stand on a stool in my daughter’s bedroom, I’ve been able to look over neighbours roofs to snap some wonderful sunset photos out her window. Our dining room lets in a warming sunbeam from the south. My son and I just enjoyed a few hours at Centennial Gardens greenhouses and enjoyed the sun on the many tropical plants in it. I’ve enjoyed visiting Niagara Falls a few years ago on the coldest winter day, dressed warmly and wrapped up and was able to snap great pictures. The indoor swimming pool we go to some Sunday afternoons has large windows. Getting outside, walking on trails or by the lakeshore is a great way to enjoy winter. I vow to try some of the new skating paths in the city. Just some of the places to find the light that is all around.
What a wonderful response. I love all those places where light shows up. I too look for those in my house and try to post them on Facebook as a reminder. I used to think they were heavy, old light but now I find those splotches beautiful. Our chickens head for those sunlight places too, even in winter.
Your renovation sounds wonderful. And I hope you skate on those paths in your city. That sounds like lots of fun. My husband mentioned wanting to skate down the river but I would be afraid of falling through. My brother fell through the ice once, popped right out, but it was a cold walk home for him. This comment could become a poem I think…Very fine…
This is beautiful. And this: “Look for light that finds its way into the house.”
I find joy in the snowfall and my dogs’ exuberance at running in it. I find joy in the warmth of the fire.
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I love snowfall too. Today is our first real snowfall of the season but it’s also very bitter. In the old days snow meant a warm up, but not so much these days. (At least that’s how I remember it.) I have let me dogs run loose occasionally for the joy of seeing them run full tilt away and back to me, especially back to me.