Today is an early spring day when it is chilly but not cold. It is in the 50’s. The wind has disappeared. The sun is bright and glints around the branches to brighten the yard. I need to go out later. It is a lovely day to be outside.

The dogs are my barometers. This morning they were out a long time so I knew the weather had gotten warmer. When it is cold, they are out and back inside quickly huffing from the cold air. Even their fur feels cold but not right now, not today. They are out again, missing their naps. That is the sign of a sweet day.

When I was a kid, the New Year didn’t really mean much. January was January no matter the year. My only acknowledgment was changing the year on my school paper headings.

I don’t make resolutions. I am quite bad at meeting expectations so resolutions just set me up for failure. I could be better in many ways, but I can work on that anytime. I don’t need a resolution.

After Christmas, I aways showed off my new Christmas clothes. Because I wore a uniform to school, my wardrobe wasn’t very large so I always loved preening in my new clothes. I remember one year, the wonderful year of the white sweater, a fluffy white sweater, and a new plaid, woolen skirt. I also got a gold pendant on a heavy chain. The pendant was big and looked like the sun with rays all around. I remember wearing the new ensemble Christmas Day to church and to my grandparents’ house.

I have mentioned this next outfit on other blogs. It is my all time favorite clothes present ever. The Pants were black and had the foot loops ski pants had. The sweater was pink and fluffy, Angora fluffy. It was beautiful and the height of fashion. I also got a ski jacket, the sort with no lining you wear with layers. I remember it had two pockets and a half way zipper. It was blue. It too was quite fashionable: being a skier was unnecessary. I wore out that ensemble.

This Christmas I stayed in my flannel pants and sweatshirt. The pants had a Christmas theme. There were fish and lobsters wearing Santa hats or carrying strands of lights. There were decorated sleds. I felt festive.

I got a new t-shirt for Christmas from my sister. It is black and says, “You don’t need therapy. You just need to go to Ghana.” The truest words ever written on a tee-shirt!