On the first day of January, we spent time at a family gathering. One highlight was having our niece, Margot, make me a kinetic sand ice cream sundae with various toppings. She also made me a waffle. I didn't eat either one. She's a smart first grader who's fun to be around. I love kids that age. Margot is a bright light.
I always laugh when someone shares my favorite poem about winter. There's only one line: SHIT IT'S COLD!! THE END. I'm not a fan of all caps or excessive punctuation, but it works. I was thinking about that poem today when I wanted to go for a walk. It felt like -13, so I stayed inside.
I often feel the need to protect my energy. You might understand.
Henry came home Monday night with a recording from Jazz One's December performance in Chicago at The Midwest Clinic. He listened to it alone today over his lunch hour on an old CD player with the volume cranked. He didn't want me around, which I completely understood. I sat in the office/junk room near our kitchen with the door closed and cried, partly because there's so much shit in there, but mostly because this group sounds like a professional jazz band, and I'm moved by their talent, dedication, and heart. I couldn't be prouder of this group. I opened the door a few times to yell expletives of joy that I can't write here, and he smiled at me while eating his turkey sandwich. Listening to this performance is the biggest wow ever.
I don't make New Year's resolutions.
I do make pies. I made a blueberry one in January. It was a new recipe, and it was divine.
Our family saw the Harlem Globetrotters in Coralville this month. My sister-in-law and her husband met us there, as well as two family friends. Isaac seemed to enjoy it, even though sometimes it's hard to tell. Chris said Isaac was very happy during halftime as they made their way around the arena. I just sat there catching up with friends I hadn't seen since Covid. We never run out of things to talk about. I have known them over 20 years.
I found a pizza at ALDI made from chickpeas. I didn't buy it. I can't go there. Even the box seems to say the contents are hazardous.
Noah's currently in Arizona on tour with the Nordic Choir. I'm happy he has this opportunity to travel with friends and perform. He's never before been to Arizona, so that's a bonus. If you're going to travel to Arizona, winter is the perfect time.
I walked through a nearby cemetery one morning and saw a stone etched with these words: "Kiss the joy as it flies." Google told me it was part of a old poem written by William Blake. The lines are, "He who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise." It's not the winter poem about cold, but I like it a lot anyway.
Earlier this month, the fan at Isaac's workplace broke. It had fallen over one too many times, apparently. This happened on a Friday. On Monday, Henry noticed that Isaac was searching for box fans on his iPad. We had absolutely no idea why he was looking for fans. "F-A-N," Isaac said. I asked if he needed a fan for his room. He never answered. We asked every question imaginable. When Isaac said, "Cup of Joe," we realized he wanted to get a fan for his workplace. Chris texted Dawn, Isaac's boss and the owner of Cup of Joe, who said the fan was broken, and she appreciated Isaac looking out for everyone. She had planned to buy a fan Tuesday and wanted us to reassure him she would take care of it. Isaac insisted on buying one Monday night, which was fine with Dawn. It made her laugh. Chris took Isaac to Walmart, where he looked at the choices and picked out a purple box fan. When I dropped Isaac off at work Tuesday morning, he almost skipped into the building while holding the fan. "He has style," Dawn said. She reimbursed him. It saved her a trip, which made her happy. Isaac was full of joy while making the purchase. It also helped him control the situation, which he very much enjoys. "I like his enthusiasm," Dawn said. It was a win-win.