Today was one of those dim, rainy, long January days.  I listened to the patter of raindrops as they played their tune on my kitchen’s vent hood while I poured myself another cup of Earl Grey tea.   Toll House cookies baked in the oven, filling the house with their heavenly scent, and I sat on the sofa, turned on my Nook, and continued reading Clan of the Cave Bear (I wanted to be an anthropologist when I was in college and go on digs with Dr. Leaky).

I used to dread January when I was working.  As an educator, it meant that state testing was nearly upon us, and our push to help every child be capable of passing took on a frenzied pace.  Retirement has given me a new appreciation for January days.  Nothing much is happening, nothing is even nearly about to happen.  The quiet days are peaceful.  Tomorrow I will spend all morning at the Y, working out and going to my yoga class.  I will come home refreshed, turn to my Nook again over lunch, and enjoy the rest of the day.  I may or may not pick up a dust cloth.  Not, I’m thinking.

Yes, I love January and I suspect February might be the same.  If I want more activity in my life, I might just go and look for a good jigsaw puzzle.  It’s the right time of year for that.  Ah, retirement!