Okay, so the sun sometimes shines in January.
Between sickness and snow, just about every plan I have made for the month of January has been canceled. It’s left me thinking that January is the most useless month of the year. Here’s eleven reasons why:
February
Admittedly, February isn’t much better. Cold, snowy, more of the same. It is, however, three days shorter, which in my book makes it more bearable and thus better than January. Nuff said.
March
March is a decent month. Two-thirds winter, one-third spring. Even if March’s version of spring is 50 degrees, it’s still spring and brings the hope of better things to come.
April
April has a lot to offer: red buds, dogwoods, tulips, forsythia, daffodils… me. Yes, it’s my birth month. Sure, it rains a lot. Sure, there’s a yellow covering over all living and non living things outdoors, but it’s spring time! And gosh darn it and I am going for a walk and going to play outside even if my eyes water so much I can’t see and I sneeze my brains out.
May
May…ahhhhh…driving with the windows down. May just might be the best month of the year. Not too hot, not too cold, not too much pollen. The days get longer and warmer. Who doesn’t like that?
June, July, and August need no such explanations as to why they are better than January, but for the sake of continuity I’ll offer a few:
June
Swimmin’ pools and movie stars. Well, swimming pools at least. Back-yard barbeques, vacations, trips to the beach, campouts, hiking, and county fairs. Summer begins and so does the fun.
July
July starts to get hot, but when you are hanging out at a pool who really cares? The month literally starts off with a bang. We celebrate the Fourth of July by watching green, yellow, red and blue streaks of fire explode in the air after eating hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream. Awesome.
August
Repeat what I said for June and July (delete the fireworks and insert fire flies).
September
Is it summer or fall? I’m not sure. Either way, it still looks and feels a lot like summer, which is nice because I like summer. The weather cools a bit but the trees stay green. Not a bad month.
October
October rivals May for the “best month” status. The wind picks up and the leaves begin to turn fiery orange, burnt red, and golden-yellow. It makes me want to go back to school ever year. Apple pie, wool sweaters, pumpkins, football, chili, Halloween, I love them all. From apple picking, pumpkin patches, hay rides, corn mazes, campouts and wine festivals, there’s always something to do in October.
November
Even though the leaves begin to fall from the trees this month, the world is still beautiful. The first sight of a barren mountain side or field seems artistic. I had forgotten what it looked like. The days get a little shorter, but in some ways I’m thankful after the craziness of summer. To top it off, every fourth Thursday of the month we gather ’round with our favorite people and take part in a huge feast in which we gorge ourselves with scrumptious home-cooked vittles like Turkey, green bean casserole and sweet potato pie. Nice way to end the month.
The barrenness that is January
December
At this point, the prospect of winter is exciting. Bring on the snow and the icicles. I’m ready. I am more than ready. I am hoping, nay, dreaming of a white Christmas. December is filled with four of my favorite things: shopping, decorating, baking and eating baked goods. Oh yeah, and it’s Jesus’ birth month so how can it not be a great month?
January
Then there’s January. Like Nathaniel I ask, “Can anything good come from it?” Nope. It’s 31 days of no good winter ickyness. Not even New Year’s Day can redeem it. Resolutions are overrated anyway.
If it was just an overcast month. If it was just snowy and 32 degrees every day. But it’s cold, cloudy, polluted with the flu, and riddled with intermittent snow showers that cripple a woman’s plans. It’s too much to bear.
I offer my apologies to all my friends and family who have birthdays this month. If it weren’t for you, I could truly, truly live without January.
Brooke Frick 
Completely agree! My poor mother’s birthday is Jan 21 and she is always complaining that almost every year, it’s snowing and/or freezing cold with sub-zero temps. Some birthday present! January is my blue month. Hard to stay positive. I just slog on through, counting down the days until Feb. Once Feb hits, there’s Valentine’s Day and the kids have school vacation…only 28 days…so it goes much faster than Jan. Then by March I can breathe a sigh of relief because I know spring is knocking on our doors! (granted, in Maine spring doesn’t arrive until late-April but still…)
Good news is January is almost over!! Not too much longer now… 🙂
Besides having to teach on the weekends, I kind of like January. It’s something about the stripping away, self-improvement, cozying up indoors, and grapefruit that the month yields 🙂 But I understand that I am in the minority. Hope y’all get better soon!
I do like New Years and the feeling of new beginnings. But then the month drags. blah blah blah. Good to see you last night!
57 more days until Spring!! That is under 2 months. I am right with you. Its harder to stay positive in January and February. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
“… and riddled with intermittent snow showers that cripple a woman’s plans. It’s too much to bear.”
Um, yes!! Not impressed with the blizzard flakes that poured and poured yesterday, ruining a party with my lady friends. Not cool, and really chapped this gal’s behind. Oh well, better get used to the weather not obeying my plans.
Only 8 more days!! Even though Feb is my very least favorite month of them all.
I think if anyone can complain about snow and the canceling of plans it’s you!! You’re one tough cookie to withstand those winters!! In some ways I love snow, but when it traps me indoors for too many days or my plans get canceled because of an inch (yes, that happens round here), then I don’t like it. Anyway, yup, we’re almost there. And my husband, Darrell, was arguing with me that February is the worst month. It’s a toss up! 🙂
Lol. This post reminds me of a song by Nicole Nordeman. The one about 4 seasons…ever heard it? It’s beautiful.
Yes I have heard of it and it is beautiful. Perhaps I should listen to it again. I’m sure she has something positive to say about each season…I forget 🙂 There are some nice things about winter, it’s just that January drags on for so long!!! Almost there though 🙂
Your blog was good in saying what people feel about the gloomy weather for the month of January.
So, I thought of another “S” word to add to your list of things that suck about January: static cling. Although I’m guessing it didn’t cause the cancellation of any of your plans (well, maybe church? nylons this time of year, need I say more?).
I also feel obligated to remind you that January does contain at least one good thing — the beginning of a new season of American Idol. (You watch this show right?)
XO
Yes, static cling! It seems to be even worse this year! And I do still watch American Idol and that is one good thing. Maybe that’s why they premiere in January,,,everyone’s depressed and watching T.V.!