Kinds of Honey

The baby had surgery last Thursday, so I took two weeks off (as recommended) for his recovery. Currently he is asleep and the cold rain is falling outside – and, oh, how I wish it were snow! We haven’t had snow here since early 2021, I think. Today I set a mental note: stay put for five more years, then find a small town with snow. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. But it helps my homesick Northern heart a little.

We like to read the book The Bear Snores On – where the bear is snoozing in his deep dark lair and all the little woodland friends show up, stoke a fire, and “pop white corn and brew black tea”. So cozy in the middle of winter. There is a lot of complaining about this month, but I feel happy (except there should be snow). I feel like I’m in a resting, planning, anticipating moment and I like it.

In a way, January feels like advent for the natural world. We look at seed catalogues. We imagine new beds, fences, and landscaping strategies for next year’s garden. We wait for the first buds, the February crocuses, the March lenten roses. We are waiting, and it is okay. (Waiting can be brutal, but I think I am finally learning how to do it with peace.)