I saw a meme on Facebook this week: It literally feels like January 74th.
You too?
Or is it just me?
I know it’s not just me because Ally Bean over at the Spectacled Bean says she’s beyond bored. She’s even suggesting she’s In the Mood for Fig Newtons and Scotch, Maybe. I’m not telling you what that’s all about–click on the link and discover it for yourselves. Pour yourself a scotch if you’re inclined. (I’ve never drank a scotch in my life, but if this month lasts another few days, well, you never know…) They say it may alleviate some of your endless January restlessness.
A friend of a friend on Facebook responded to the meme–“I feel like I’m in the 37th month of pregnancy.”
Okay, just to be honest, I haven’t felt like this EVERY day this January. Just some days. Other days I’ve been overworked shoveling snow, cozy cuddled up under blankets, entertained and appalled at Walmart. Some days cheerful, other days wondering how darn long this frickin’ month is gonna last?!?
But isn’t that life as always?
Yes it is. But spring, summer and fall contain just a little more pizzazz. You needn’t dress up in seven layers of clothing to walk outside. You needn’t scrape your car windshield endlessly. It’s light until almost 11 p.m. here in mid-summer, honest to goodness, and thanks to our proximity to Central Standard Time. There’s gardening and visiting and wood-cutting to do.
Some days it feels like the most entertaining moment of the day occurs when Mom shares what’s happened at her assisted living. I live for the moments when she tells about who won noodle volleyball or cornhole. At least she has something to do!
This time of year I especially admire my crafty, artsy, projecty friends. Or those winter whiz’s on snowshoes, skis or treadmills. They’re so easily entertained! (Or so I imagine.) But I have never been one of those gals. Give me a good walk with ice cleats on the road when the temperature soars to 25 degrees without wind. My idea of exercise heaven.
Yesterday morning I reviewed the day’s itinerary. Nothing. Nada. Not one single thing. The exciting day before involved baking granola, making oat energy balls with nibbles of dark chocolate, washing laundry. A full fun day in January! But yesterday? Nary an inspiration.
“I’m going to town for cappuccino again,” I sighed, long and heavy, to projecty husband who’s pounding, measuring and creating out in the garage.
Then added, for effect: “I will drink my coffee overlooking the bay…”
He volunteered to accompany. He’s done that once before. He knows that a little caffeine and change of scenery can do wonders for the shack-happy cabin-fever bound blues.
Oh how exciting looked Skanee Road! Oh how different than the four stifling walls of our little house. Did I ever call it cozy? Nay, it’s a wood prison on January 74th.
We paid $3.50 plus tip for the capp and decided to motor to the west side of the Keweenaw Bay. Sand Point, behind the Pow Wow grounds, to be precise. We visited the marina and campground side first.
Somewhere near the lighthouse my mood lightened. Barry suggested we take pictures of the ice fishing tents out on the bay. I stepped outside into the 10 degree morning and noticed the sun shining. Wind whipped between tall evergreens.
It IS energizing to open the door and walk outside! (You old-time readers know what this means–from 2008-2009 I went outside every single day and wrote about it in my first blog on WordPress.)
Just a tiny change of scenery and maybe some caffeine can make a huge difference during a January that lasts forever. We returned home ninety minutes later and I smiled the rest of the day. Who’s complaining about this endless month anyway?
What gets you out of the winter doldrums?
Lake Superior Spirit 
Thanks for linking to my post. Your ability to find something to write about even when you’re bored is uplifting. I love your photo of a coffee cup whilst pondering the snowy world in front of you. At least you got out of the house for a ride, and saw some new scenery. I checked out your first blog. I didn’t know you then, so kind of fun to see your blogging roots.
Hi Ally Bean–I was so heartened to discover we were on the same “bored” thought-stream for our latest posts. And you seem to have the same capability–to find SOMETHING to say when it feels like there’s NOTHING to say. Thanks for checking out the blogging roots. Feels like half a lifetime ago, but it was definitely a special years. Here’s to February right around the corner!
Well, definitely a snowstorm to dress up the brown dull view from the apartment.
Then for me there is always planning recipes, prepping food for those future meals, even baking some snacks.
I can walk down the hall, someone is bound to be sitting in the lobby complaining about one thing or another.
Lovely photos of the bay area, glad you could get out for coffee and a ride.
Hi Jeff–how lovely to hear from you! Wondering how much snow you got in your neck of the woods. Our son, Chris, said they probably got about 8 inches and everyone was out shoveling by yesterday afternoon. I was smiling thinking about your comment of your fellow apartment-dwellers sitting in the lobby and complaining. But I’ll bet that energy can be challenging to be around at times. ((hugs))
Well, I don’t generally get the winter doldrums. Maybe it’s because I live in the South. Maybe it’s because I was born in winter. The month that usually lingers too long down here is September – the unending inferno of summer with little of the summer fun.
But I agree that a good cappuccino can restore the soul, no matter the season. XOXO
Stacy, I really never fell in love with cappuccinos until recently. My daughter used to drink them–she worked as a barista in NYC for a short while. I like ’em just plain, no sugary syrup, just whipped up with delicious whole milk. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t drink any dairy for three years that this feels so heavenly. So glad to hear you don’t get the winter doldrums, but have never thought of September as being challenging before. September is one of our best months–still warm and no snow! Wishing you a lovely Sunday.
Same to you! (And I love a genuine cappuccino, too – the way they make them in Italy.) XOXO
Oh Italian cappuccino—be still my heart! 😄
💗
Its fun to come here and read this, cause i just exclaimed that I could not stand this restlessness anymore, and I had to mail and ask Netflix when the next (2.nd) episode of the Gilded Age. was due.
Monday.
Evening.
Leelah, your comment had me laughing–in empathy of course! Restlessness is a cruel beast at times. It can be so very hard. I am grinning because you asked Netflix when the next episode was due. Sounds like you’re enjoying that series.
Those winter doldrums usually hit me in February. In my mind, green should start cropping out in February and if it doesn’t – major case of cabin fever. In the meantime, I weave, and read, and nap.
Carol, your words sound soothing–almost like you’re in hibernation as you weave, read and nap. How cool that you enjoy weaving–that gives you something fun to do. Your Oregon February is like our Upper Michigan April. It can be a lonnnngggg winter…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sand Point Lighthouse. Next time I’m up there…
Glad you got out, it always works for me too, to just get outside even for a little bit.
Dawn, you get out more than most people I know. It can sure be a mood changer, can’t it? You will definitely have to walk around Sand Point next time you’re visiting the area. Maybe we can even take a walk there together.
That would be so much fun!
Beautiful outing, Kathy. Thanks for taking us along with you. 🙂 A friend of mine recently commented that we are in the twelfth week of January and she’s ready for February. I usually find February to be the longest month, but this year January does seem to have stretched on and on. I’ve been keeping busy with all sorts of things and we were gifted with a blizzard this morning. I’ve been wearing out my legs walking through deep snow (something we don’t see here often). I’ll probably break out the cross-country skis tomorrow while there is still snow to ski on (plus M has already groomed the trails by doing some skiing today so that means I won’t have to break the trail which is always hard work).
Robin, it seems like you have a lot of projects going that would tend to keep you busy during the winter months. It’s weird how January has seemed to last forever this year. I usually like February–it’s a mental thing–because it’s only 28 or 29 days. You are probably skiing this morning. Hope you enjoy and don’t work too hard breaking trail. I am almost thinking of digging out the snowshoes one of these days. You never know. PS How much snow did you get?
Just wanted to peek in. No doldrums. Nothing exciting really. Just the usual daily routines. HUGS !!
Deb, you are lucky you don’t have the doldrums. They’ve come and gone my whole life, here today, gone tomorrow. I thought it might be just because we live in such a rural area, but you’ve just busted that idea. Hugs back to you! Thanks for reading and saying hi.
This made me smile, Kathy: “it’s a wood prison on January 74th.” Oh my, cabin fever can be so maddening when it takes hold. Enjoyed reading your description of it and loved imagining your trip to get that mood-saving coffee break. Has Barry done any ice fishing himself this winter? For me, getting outside is the best remedy for the winter doldrums, but that’s a challenge when the wind chill is below zero…
Hi Barbara, glad you liked the wood prison reference. Our son, Chris, said he liked it too. I’m wondering how much snow you got yesterday, but will try to catch up on your blog and see if you’ve written about it. Barry has gone ice fishing on Huron Bay once. They didn’t get even one bite, so he’s waiting for about a week or so before going on Keweenaw Bay. He likes fishing for deep-water lake trout and most of the current fishermen are fishing much more shallow. Wind chill below zero–that’s when it’s time to chose a good book or show!
Glad you got to re-boot your soul Kathy 💕
Val, it was such a little simple outing and it re-booted things so nicely. Thank you!
I got a real kick out of this, Kathy! I’ve never thought of January as being the “worst” month — that honor usually falls to February — but this year has been beastly everywhere. In fact, I’ve been watching The Weather Channel and can’t think of a single place I’d want to be! Between the blizzards, hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, and you-name-it, we’ve been inundated with misery — not to mention that nasty, spreading COVID. Gosh, no wonder animals hibernate through the winters!
I’m glad you enjoyed reading this, Debbie. (I had great fun writing it!) You are so right. There is no place in this country that feels ideal anymore. Maybe we all should hibernate, but gosh, I think restlessness and boredom might be a big issue there. Some of the smaller animals “torpor” where they’re half hibernating and half awake. Maybe we should aim for that. 🙂
Thanks for reminding me that living in a cozy cabin in the beautiful snowy wilds sometimes has its drawbacks! I enjoyed our short-lived FL winter during the last few days but we’re back to a pleasant 70 degrees. Frankly, it’s summer here that I dread. The heat keeps me inside.
Anna, 70 degrees sounds so warm and inviting. I can understand how hot summers could be painful in the south. You are also right that there are benefits and drawbacks wherever we live.
Sounds lovely, I find January and February drag. We rarely get snow to play in. We normally get it cold and wet, which makes going out to do anything very unpleasant even with the right clothes on, then there’s the whole trying to get everything dry. I try to stem the boredom with housework, playing with our cats and crafting…badly 🙂
Tilly, it sounds like cold and wet would be very challenging. That whole issue of finding the right clothing and keeping dry and warm must be awful. So you are one of those who craft even though you don’t always like the results? Good for you! I admire that.
It gives my husband and son a laugh 🙂
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I feel you, Kathy. Now, of course, as we have started the longest shortest month of the year. February lasts what? 100 days?
All jokes aside, it was so darn cold in my neck of the woods, my walking took a backseat. I just don’t dig on walking in -25℉ temps, yanno? Once upon a time, that was nothing. As I get older, I get wimpier. Sigh. I so want to retire. I know I would rarely get bored…
Dale–if you were one of those -25F walkers–I would have to put you on a pedestal! There were bundled up walkers in Marquette and I silently gave them all awards. Like you, wimpdom is coming more frequently… Btw, how many years until retirement do you think?
Well, I was and could be again. Maybe. Perhaps. 😉
Well, if I could it would be in two years! According to my financial advisor, a little later. We shall see…
Hope it works out sooner than later! ❤
Me too! 🙂
Thanks for taking me along! I agree that some me-time away from our cozy abodes gives us (sometimes much needed) new perspectives. You took Julia Cameron’s idea of an “artist date” to new heights. I love that your server wanted to join you and Susan. Laughter is truly the best medicine.
Yes, exactly, Anna! It was a lovely artist’s date. I was talking to Julia Cameron (in my head) and telling her so, lol! Wishing you much laughter, too. Thank you. ❤
Even though I’m at work, January always feels like a much longer month than it is, but it’s over now 🙂
Yep, January can be a fiercely long month to get through, even though it has its moments of beauty. Thanks, Andrea.
What a fun outing – so pleased that Barry could join you in your escape from your dear cozy cabin! Nothing nicer than being out in nature when you’ve been cooped up for a while.
Guess what, Reggie? I drove over there again this morning. Your comment reminded me to reconnect with that place. Thank you! (Hope you haven’t been cooped up too much these days.)