January is here in full force in the eastern part of the country and from what I hear, in most of the United States. I live in Virginia and today the high temp was 7 degrees. The wind chill was below zero. I feel very blessed to have a warm home and the means to keep my beloved family and pets warm and fed.
Looking out the window, I see the bare garden and the snow all over the ground. The trees bend and bow with the wind and my thoughts turn to spring. I was so excited last week when the mail came and low and behold, there were gardening catalogs there, just for me.
I take out pen and paper and start to figure what I will plant once the frosty snow and ice is gone and how beautiful my garden will be. I will of course, not make the same mistakes and things will be even better than last year.
I love the flowers, veggies and fruits I see on all these wonderful pages. I circle them and make notes. I remember the beautiful daffodils and crocus that peak out before the chill is even gone from the air. They must be as anxious as we are to see Spring.
I admit, I love the first snow and the way Mother Earth looks with the ice all about. I take tons of pictures and enjoy watching the winter birds flock to the feeders.
We have had some mild winters over the last few years and I feel that nature heard too many people bragging or complaining and gave them what they wanted, a winter to remember.
I heard that the temperatures hit the lowest in history for our area today. I am not surprised at all. We have the woodstove stoked up and the wood stacked high, and we are toasty, now as long as the wind leaves the electricity alone. Shhhhhh.
Even as I write this, I hear the wind howling and the tree limbs rubbing on my roof, which means they are really being blown around quite a lot.
We have plenty of candles, canned foods, water and blankets, but life just isn't what it used to be when we were kids and this was all fun and cool. Now we have to somehow keep pipes from freezing and keep everyone warm and safe. Pets included.
So of course, those seed catalogs and magazines heralding Spring, look so nice. I have had enough of winter already. I do feel a certain furry friend will see his shadow yet again this year, and regardless we will have quite a bit more cold weather.
But alas, I still have my catalogs, the fire, hot chocolate and luckily I don't have anywhere to go for awhile. I am seeing herbs and veggies, flowers and bulbs dancing in my head.
Remember, February is just around the corner and I saw in the Farmer's Almanac only 56 days until Spring!
~Keep warm and safe, and give a homeless person or pet some warmth today by sharing your blessings.~
Fran Hafey is a Reiki II Practioner, writer, Spiritual Counselor and teacher. She provides guidance and inspiration via her Website, groups and newsletter on the World Wide Web. To read more of her articles visit the Author's Website: http://Mystickblue.com or at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpiritualPathways/
She's currently working on publishing her own books about love, inspiration, magic and nature stories for Children of all ages.
