#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Outdoors, this is the beginning of a new year of my daily walks in all weather. It was mild, but damp. Messy, but pretty. I always find what I need to find. The tree trunk the sky on the river, some lovely activity of the surface of water, the river, the wetlands, my peace and my joy. My wetlands habitat. No swim today. A poetry workshop then getting ready for company. A ritual of seeing my daughter’s boyfriend’s parents for a walk and lunch on New Year’s Day. Wave joined us. He got his feet wet in a puddle and agreed to return early with Frank to warm up. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cookies by the fire after lunch, and great conversation. My friend is still visiting from Florida, and the whole family loves having here. She’s a delicious presence. My poem in workshop got helpful feedback. I feel glad to be going “back to work” tomorrow. I am sated from the holidays, the gatherings, the feasting and filling and sharing and celebrating. I like January. I have liked it since childhood. January is without pressure, somehow. Oh! I napped after company left and dreamed I was driving on a very slippery road in a snowstorm! Perhaps January is that too––snow! There is a quiet to January, a slowness and quiet that can be restorative. 2024 is a year I welcome and embrace and look forward to writing and living and walking and loving in.