Finding the Quiet

We made it!  We survived January!  Well.... one more day.  As I have said many times here on the blog, January is not anyone's favorite month, especially mine.  Just reference your social media...every vlogger, Instagrammer, Facebooker or friend has mentioned how much they don't love January.  I am right there with them, most of the time.  This year January had its definite downs, but it also had some ups.  

Surprisingly, dry January was one of the ups!  For the first time in a while, I really embraced not drinking.  I found that towards the end of the month I wanted less and less to have that glass of wine and have really looked forward to my diet ginger ale at the end of the day.  Party on, January!   I admit a couple of "damp" weekends but for the most part, it was a great January tradition to continue in the future...or even next month.

Instead of drinking I just did a puzzle about it!

We also experienced the usual things that make January a dreary and depressing month.  There was the week of "real" winter and freezing temperatures.  I see those of you up North rolling your eyes, but we do live in Texas!  One night in the middle of the "freeze" I looked at TJ, from my spot under a blanket in front of the fire and exclaimed, "This is why old people move to Florida!".  I have transitioned to the cold years.  For what seemed like 10 years, I was always too hot, and I don't mean in the hubba-hubba way.  Now I find myself checking the thermostat to see if my husband has turned down the temperature, because he has not yet reached the cold years.  We don't really do winter very well here in Texas.

We "saved" the camelia bushes from the freeze. They were full of buds!
This seems to happen every year...

Then there was a week of solid rain.  We have now almost caught up on our cumulative rain deficit in one month.  Between the freeze and the rain my resolution to work diligently on improving my golf game was really challenged.  For a change I have been home for 7 weeks!  Aside from a few days in Baton Rouge for Christmas and a weekend in Dallas, I have been home, and I can't count those as "away" because I drove, and they were nearby.  I figured in 7 weeks my golf game would be in much better shape.  Sadly, it is not.  Let's blame it on "winter conditions".  

January provided me with much needed and appreciated down time.  I know many complained about the slow pace, the dreary conditions, and the lack of alcohol but to quote one of my uncles, "Call me crazy, but I kinda like it!".  I think January is a necessity.  

The last few weeks have provided me with an opportunity to just be still.  Another thing I actually like about January is the hibernation thing.  I remember many years ago when the kids would go back to school after the holidays. We lived in Georgia at the time and winter would inevitably settle in, the dust of the holidays would settle and so would I... with a good book, a fire and a blanket.  I remember feeling guilty for spending a few days just being still.  Of course, back then "still" was a relative term since I had 4 kids under the age of 16 and at least 3 of them were involved in extracurriculars... the stillness only lasted so long.  Another thing to consider is that there was no social media to distract me, so life was already easier to make still.  

Lately there has been a recurring message sent to me from several different sources.  I get a daily reflection sent to my email and the recent posts have recommended being in the quiet.  Time to be quiet and listen.  Sunday at church the homily focused on just being quiet and listening.  There is quiet time spent alone with no distractions or quiet time outdoors.  These are the times we open our minds to ideas, answers, more questions, and if we are lucky...clarity.  Then there is the quiet time we leave in conversations. My kids would refer to this as The Dixon Pause.  If we just listen and leave some space, there is no telling what we can find out about the other person.  Sometimes it is so hard to do this!  I am guilty of closing that space with what I think the person is going to say next or just answering for them.  The magic happens when you leave some space and listen...and sometimes that is hard!  I can remember having serious talks with my kids and having to fight the urge to fill in the spaces.  Sure, sometimes I lost that fight but on occasion, I left some space it was inevitably filled with some good stuff.  

Quiet is at a premium.  We fill our days and nights with noise.  Shoot, I seldom take a walk without listening to a book or a podcast.  Before the availability of these on my device I listened to music, and I think it was probably a lot better for me.  I thought many good thoughts while walking and listening to music.  One good thing about cycling is that I don't listen to anything other than the traffic.  This provides me with a lot of time with my own thoughts.  Win win.  

Quiet lives here. 
 I have logged many miles over the years on this levee.

Cheers to January, the unappreciated month.  If we just listen it is telling us to slow down and hear what it has to share with us.  

  

  

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing

As I returned something to Amazon today, I had a thought...yeah, it happens now and then.  Our easy return choice happens to be going to Whole Foods to return.  Simple and quick...sorta!

There was a steady stream of people coming in and going out of the side entrance/exit with packages to return or ones they had picked up from Amazon.  I thought to myself, "Amazon has created a gathering space!".  There is a constant flow of people in and out and they (Whole Foods) have capitalized on the situation by setting the return space next to the ready-made food section and the bakery.  They are no fools!  "Come on in and return your package and while you are here, please buy some yummy cookies or maybe some delicious bread.  We have also prepared some tasty soups, salads and main dishes for you to take away!  You know you don't want to cook tonight!".  This is what beckons you as you wait a couple of minutes to get your phone scanned, turn around and attempt to leave but get distracted.

After I quickly returned my goods, I just had to peruse the produce section of the store to see what they had that my much more affordable Kroger did not have.  Well...I fell prey to the sample of clementines.  I tasted one and they were delicious!  Yes, I bought a bag of clementines that TJ and I will be eating until the end of the month!  Once home I ate 2! and they were both just as good as the one in the store.  Maybe I just needed some vitamin C!

Anyway...the genius who came up with Amazon return at Whole Foods should get a pat on the back because I not only appreciated the easy return process, I bought clementines and some yummy granola.  And...I will probably be back next week...for more produce or to return more stuff from Amazon!