Usually, January is slow moving. Years of new year blues in a cold climate are still a part of me even though nowadays I can sit outside on the lanai on January 2nd.
Days in January find me unhurriedly playing with my new toys from Christmas. In fact, the tree usually stays up well into January. I’m both lazy and reticent to put away all the tokens of joy and cheer that have surrounded me for weeks.
This year though? The first few days of 2025 found me packing my suitcase and trying not to forget anything for my second campus visit as part of the Newport MFA program.
Do I still have winter boots? What about sweaters and long sleeve shirts? Did I even keep a winter coat?
As a knitter, the one thing I was confident in was my supply of hats, gloves, and scarves.
My loved ones helped me. G gave me numerous pairs of thick knee socks. My savvy friend, Sarika, gave me cute winter pj’s. And as I did not keep a winter coat, another friend loaned me hers.
Prepared for the winter temperatures in Rhode Island, I wasn’t prepared for the warm welcome when I arrived at the opening reception. I didn’t walk in as the new girl this time so the reunion with my fellow writers brought a swell of emotions.
I laughed, I cried, I even saw snow for the first time in years.
I’m home now. Ready to finish a sloppy first draft of my memoir. (Wish me luck!) Ready to binge the Australian Open. Ready to cook and bake in my kitchen (the dining hall food was miserable this time).
Signing off with some cheer…G’s welcome home flowers.
The welcome home flowers! What a guy!
What a glorious warmth of updates! Despite the snow that still sits outside up here 😂 Love that you were already prepping for that with your knitting, I certainly received many complements on one of your scarves that braved the winter with me.
Such a sweet welcome at both ends of your trip!