Embracing January

 

January is a LONG month. 

It's also my least favorite of the year because it IS a long month filled with way too many blahs. 

We can either grin and bear this annual situation or do something about it. 

The past few years I've made a conscious effort to plan ahead in January.  Fill the weekly calendar with nice little diversions from the many long, gray days when the earth seems dead. 

And, so, yesterday, the very first day of January 2023, involved a general but flexible plan.  We pointed the pickup toward Bonners Ferry. 

When we arrived in Bonners, Bill asked, "Where do you want to go?"

"Let's do the east side of the valley," I suggested. 

So, the pickup turned left past the bridge, and soon we were on the road to District 5.  

After driving a ways, we took a turn and drove across the valley to the Kootenai Tribal Headquarters, where, like pretty much everywhere else we drove, there wasn't much outdoor action.

A cat did come to check us out when we turned around near its house. Other than that, it seemed obvious that most folks were hunkered down inside for the New Year's Day.

The stillness of a frozen winter enhanced by the disappearance of the sun behind clouds remained very apparent as we crossed back to the road on the east side of the valley. 

Soon, that road turned into a pretty solid ice mass, so once again we turned around. 

As we drove back into the Bonners Ferry city limits, Bill asked if I wanted to go up on the hill to Three-Mile and see if the antique store was open. 

Sure, I said, figuring we could escape the outdoor blahs and do a little nostalgic time travel while viewing the huge assortment of eclectic items inside the store. 

By golly, the place was open, and the proprietor recognized the woman who brings her camera and puts pictures on her blog. 

We simply strolled the aisles through displays, visited with him for a few minutes and then went on our way.

That brief infusion of assorted colors and shapes and nostalgic items from different eras provided the perfect elixir to the first day of January, 2023.

Later, when we stopped at the Kootenai River Inn for a bite to eat, even more fun stuff was added to the New Year's Day kaleidoscope. 

As usual, I spent time talking to the people at the table next to us. 

Turns out a nice little anecdote arose from that conversation. 

A few years ago, my sisters and I had stopped at the Samuels Store while on our way for a drive.  When we spotted a little boy playing in a mud puddle, I walked over to take some pictures. 

And, upon striking up a conversation, we learned that the father was looking for a new place for him and his family to settle.  He was considering Sandpoint.

When he said he was a plumber, I told him to check out a local firm.  Later, I learned that he had followed up and hired on. 

Well, the rest of the story came yesterday when the friendly and engaging folks at the restaurant--two generations worth--revealed that our friend, the plumber, had inspired them to move to Sandpoint.

The circle is now unbroken with three generations of the family living here and the plumber now running his own business.  Fun family, to say the least. 

 Once again, on a January day, to escape the blahs, I came home with a renewed spirit.  

Only 29 more days after today, and you can be sure that I'll continue to plan diversions to diminish those blahs and make my least favorite month of the year fly by quickly. 

For others looking for a fun January escape, that antique store at Three Mile provides a wonderful experience.  And, then there's the Gathering Place just up the road for lunch or baked goodies. 

Happy Monday.