I have always loved January. I like winter, snow, and ice (like Madeline in the children's story) and I like new beginnings. I'm not tired of cold weather yet, and I'm usually a bit rested because of the Christmas holidays.
This year is tough, though. We haven't had even one of our usual, beautiful New England snowfalls, so it's been mud season since November. All it does is sleet and rain and then freeze into crusty ice that can't be ice skated on. This is a double hurt every time--first I miss the snow, then I worry about the climate. And, I am in the throes of some kind of deep tissue existential growth--what I wouldn't give for a romantic snow fall and a sauna next to a Swiss ski lodge right now!
Betsy. I have got no further than your account of the vet tech’s problem with a rectal thermometer and a ‘hairy (dog) bottom’. All very graphic stuff, which would make a great opening for a book. Right now though it sent me in search of an equally great bit about dogs bottoms in Substack’s Cafe Anne #7. To quote:
“ChuChi and I, we bathe together probably once every two weeks. She still goes to the groomer when she needs to get her nails done or has to get shaved on her bottom or her paws, because I won’t do that.”
Not being a dog owner I have never taken any interest in dogs bottoms. I wonder how common are posts on Substack about dogs and hairy bottoms?🐰
I'm a late comer to Substack it seems and very happy to be discovering people through other people. Your comments on Rona's page introduced me to you and I'm grateful. Though I enjoy winter now more than I used to, I recall so many broken down cars and hard times in the 70s and 80s. Work and small children just made it even more stressful just getting through January and February. I live in a more moderate climate now (PNW) than when in NH. And, though partially retired from painting, winter is still the season I manage to get the most work done as the outdoors is not beckoning me-no weeding to be done.
I decided, at the top of 2024, that I should look to individuals who might enlighten me with a few different thoughts about entertainment, government, and transitioning. So, I picked up "My Name is Barbra," "Enough" (Cassidy Hutchinson), & "Page Boy" (Elliott Page). ALL 3 books invited me to expand my knowledge of self through their eyes.
January has generally been a month I can handle or at least have a relationship with, because, as May Sarton’s poem says, it is a month that clears clutter in all sorts of ways. And clutter clearing is almost always, eventually, a good thing. Weather wise, I’m generally not too sick of the cold yet, although today’s morning temperature of -21 is pushing it. February is the difficult winter month for me. I’m done with winter, and it is far from done with me. Thank you Betsy!
Each of your wonderful stories made me laugh and pull for you and remember the dismal truths that have set in for me every January for as long as I can remember. The end of twinkling lights just seems to affect most of us that way. Feels better to know I'm not alone. Thank you.
Hi from Australia where it’s warm and humid. It’s my birthday month, so I don’t mind January but it’s a time when I routinely tie myself in knots wondering what I should be doing with my life. I think the combination of the new year and getting older makes me fret about my lack of progress with my writing.
On the reading front, I’ve just started Life is Everywhere by Lucy Ives. It’s weird but interesting.
Oh Betsy, what a January you're having. Sorry about the poor pup, but glad she's better. And really glad to hear about your time with the novel! What we all need. I'm glad you took the time for your writing.
As for my January reads: I just finished "Tom Lake," which I believe you reviewed. Ann Patchett is a master of the literary reveal and treasure of a writer. Also on my morning reading/writing table: "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin, reminding me of the ongoingness of our creative work as writers and artists; and "The Vagabond's Way," by Rolf Potts, which is an every-day page of "Meditations on Wanderlust, Discovery, and the Art of Travel." I hope a road trip is in my future--after the snow melts.
Thanks for this read and perspective. I’ve always wrestled with January-a kind of unmonth and this one has proved especially punishing with a sudden health crisis for my older brother that has tossed us all overboard. I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling unmoored these days. Stay well and one step ahead of this confounding month 😉
In the past January was fraught with grey clouds that spelled DEPRESSION, but no more. There are no resolutions announced to break; it's just another predictably pleasant day. And I've learned to live by the Serenity Prayer, (I allow myself EVERYTHING in moderation) accepting things I can not change, gathering courage to change a very few things, and great WISDOM to understand the difference. This understanding was YEARS in the making.
Up here in the mountains of Utah, we have the Sundance Film Festival which arrives each January. It makes the sleepy town of Park City come alive. So January always seems invigorating to me. Plus, we are having a darling filmmaker, who has an animated short in the festival, staying with us. Last time she stayed with us, she won, so we are hoping lightening strikes twice for her. So nice to see these creative young artists thriving. Gives me hope.
And I certainly hope that your dog continues to heal ❤️
I loathe January from the 2nd to the 30th. (The 1st is New Year’s Day, obviously, and the 31st is my wife’s birthday.) It’s getting back to “normal” after a couple months of having special things to look forward to, and oh by the way, it’s usually when the weather starts turning to crap.
Great post. It's only 3 degrees here in Port Townsend and that's a shock. Will get up to 20 degrees later today.
I may have already given you all this advice but if not...cooked carrots are a natural firmer of stools, in fact too many carrots can cause constipation. So after months of our dog Ready's on and off diarrhea I tried the cooked carrots and it worked. From then on, she got 3 baby carrots a day, raw, because she liked them. And no poop problems after that till the days she died--of unrelated causes. Best of luck!
I have always loved January. I like winter, snow, and ice (like Madeline in the children's story) and I like new beginnings. I'm not tired of cold weather yet, and I'm usually a bit rested because of the Christmas holidays.
This year is tough, though. We haven't had even one of our usual, beautiful New England snowfalls, so it's been mud season since November. All it does is sleet and rain and then freeze into crusty ice that can't be ice skated on. This is a double hurt every time--first I miss the snow, then I worry about the climate. And, I am in the throes of some kind of deep tissue existential growth--what I wouldn't give for a romantic snow fall and a sauna next to a Swiss ski lodge right now!
Betsy. I have got no further than your account of the vet tech’s problem with a rectal thermometer and a ‘hairy (dog) bottom’. All very graphic stuff, which would make a great opening for a book. Right now though it sent me in search of an equally great bit about dogs bottoms in Substack’s Cafe Anne #7. To quote:
“ChuChi and I, we bathe together probably once every two weeks. She still goes to the groomer when she needs to get her nails done or has to get shaved on her bottom or her paws, because I won’t do that.”
Not being a dog owner I have never taken any interest in dogs bottoms. I wonder how common are posts on Substack about dogs and hairy bottoms?🐰
I'm a late comer to Substack it seems and very happy to be discovering people through other people. Your comments on Rona's page introduced me to you and I'm grateful. Though I enjoy winter now more than I used to, I recall so many broken down cars and hard times in the 70s and 80s. Work and small children just made it even more stressful just getting through January and February. I live in a more moderate climate now (PNW) than when in NH. And, though partially retired from painting, winter is still the season I manage to get the most work done as the outdoors is not beckoning me-no weeding to be done.
I decided, at the top of 2024, that I should look to individuals who might enlighten me with a few different thoughts about entertainment, government, and transitioning. So, I picked up "My Name is Barbra," "Enough" (Cassidy Hutchinson), & "Page Boy" (Elliott Page). ALL 3 books invited me to expand my knowledge of self through their eyes.
I so loved Why Fish Don't Exist! I still think about it years after reading it.
January has generally been a month I can handle or at least have a relationship with, because, as May Sarton’s poem says, it is a month that clears clutter in all sorts of ways. And clutter clearing is almost always, eventually, a good thing. Weather wise, I’m generally not too sick of the cold yet, although today’s morning temperature of -21 is pushing it. February is the difficult winter month for me. I’m done with winter, and it is far from done with me. Thank you Betsy!
Each of your wonderful stories made me laugh and pull for you and remember the dismal truths that have set in for me every January for as long as I can remember. The end of twinkling lights just seems to affect most of us that way. Feels better to know I'm not alone. Thank you.
Hi from Australia where it’s warm and humid. It’s my birthday month, so I don’t mind January but it’s a time when I routinely tie myself in knots wondering what I should be doing with my life. I think the combination of the new year and getting older makes me fret about my lack of progress with my writing.
On the reading front, I’ve just started Life is Everywhere by Lucy Ives. It’s weird but interesting.
Oh Betsy, what a January you're having. Sorry about the poor pup, but glad she's better. And really glad to hear about your time with the novel! What we all need. I'm glad you took the time for your writing.
As for my January reads: I just finished "Tom Lake," which I believe you reviewed. Ann Patchett is a master of the literary reveal and treasure of a writer. Also on my morning reading/writing table: "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin, reminding me of the ongoingness of our creative work as writers and artists; and "The Vagabond's Way," by Rolf Potts, which is an every-day page of "Meditations on Wanderlust, Discovery, and the Art of Travel." I hope a road trip is in my future--after the snow melts.
Thanks for this read and perspective. I’ve always wrestled with January-a kind of unmonth and this one has proved especially punishing with a sudden health crisis for my older brother that has tossed us all overboard. I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling unmoored these days. Stay well and one step ahead of this confounding month 😉
In the past January was fraught with grey clouds that spelled DEPRESSION, but no more. There are no resolutions announced to break; it's just another predictably pleasant day. And I've learned to live by the Serenity Prayer, (I allow myself EVERYTHING in moderation) accepting things I can not change, gathering courage to change a very few things, and great WISDOM to understand the difference. This understanding was YEARS in the making.
January, the Monday of months.
Up here in the mountains of Utah, we have the Sundance Film Festival which arrives each January. It makes the sleepy town of Park City come alive. So January always seems invigorating to me. Plus, we are having a darling filmmaker, who has an animated short in the festival, staying with us. Last time she stayed with us, she won, so we are hoping lightening strikes twice for her. So nice to see these creative young artists thriving. Gives me hope.
And I certainly hope that your dog continues to heal ❤️
I think we all must have January on the brain! I just wrote about it myself, though my grandma Ruth did most of the writing... Those who are curious can read more here: https://open.substack.com/pub/lauralynndennis3/p/january-10-1993?r=djld7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
As for me. we have hit the time of year where I try to keep up with exercise when I can, but mostly I hide under a pile of quilts
I loathe January from the 2nd to the 30th. (The 1st is New Year’s Day, obviously, and the 31st is my wife’s birthday.) It’s getting back to “normal” after a couple months of having special things to look forward to, and oh by the way, it’s usually when the weather starts turning to crap.
Great post. It's only 3 degrees here in Port Townsend and that's a shock. Will get up to 20 degrees later today.
I may have already given you all this advice but if not...cooked carrots are a natural firmer of stools, in fact too many carrots can cause constipation. So after months of our dog Ready's on and off diarrhea I tried the cooked carrots and it worked. From then on, she got 3 baby carrots a day, raw, because she liked them. And no poop problems after that till the days she died--of unrelated causes. Best of luck!
https://theadventuresofcedric.substack.com
All this from a hairy dog’s bottom. Please follow if you love a dog with a hairy bottom.
It is thanks to Spark that Cedric has decided to talk.🐰