JANUARY JOY

The month went by quickly which was a lovely surprise, as I thought back on other Januaries, where I was struggling with health problems and time dragged.

Amidst our Covid restrictions we took time on a beautiful sunny day to go on a spontaneous winter picnic. Sandwiches, sliced apples, cookies, and thermoses with hot drinks were quickly put together and off we were. We chose the most curvy road on the west side of Okanagan lake that in 45 minutes took us to Fintry, a small community beside a large provincial park. We enjoyed our lunch, a snooze and time with my nose in a book while overlooking the lake from the comfort of our warm car. 

Then off to walk through the park, choosing campsites we could hope to reserve in the summer, and taking in the serene surroundings of winter foliage and fresh crisp air. 

Shadows were intriguing, whether cast on the water from a dock 

or on a lane through the campsite. 

Winter art displayed by this shaggy Willow tree, and by crackled ice in a puddle.

 Little things bring me joy.

Back to the city where we picked up normal daily routines including many walks in our neighbourhood.

The end of January brought Birthday Joy!

It was a day crammed with beautiful moments through phone calls, emails, friends and family knocking on the door bringing good wishes and  unexpected gifts. A walk in the neighbourhood with one of our sons was a special treat. Japanese take out for dinner and an evening to ponder the blessings of another year.

A stunning Chocolate apple holding inside a black forest mousse oozing with cherry sauce. it was hard to make the first slice in, but the reward was supreme decadence.

A gift to myself was my favourite poet's latest book. At the age of 93, Luci Shaw is still gifted with words that inspire me to notice the world attentively, to slow down and find wonder in the ordinary things of life.

Another joy in January was setting up a hobby corner where I am learning the art of Watercolour pencils. It is a quiet place where the sun can shine in with extravagance through a large, tall window to give me inspiration to patch together words into poems, to sketch, and dabble with a paint brush.

JANUARY BOUQUET

Yellow heads bow toward the window panes

waiting for spring where

brown bulbs have been nestled deep in loamy soil,

waiting for refreshing rain showers,

for tips of green sprouting into daylight

from whence they too came.

Now they get their fragile stems clipped

and plunged back into cool water,

set back on the table to reach and feel the sun.

Do they tire of this household routine?

petals wilt and spill gently on the bright cloth

where time is running out,

 as an admirer gazes once more, deep into their sexy cups

until, each of the tulips meet a dank demise.

What beauty will replace them in the shapely vase?

Trudy Peters

2021