Fresh and Clean

There is something about January that seems fresh.
I don't know if it's the start of a new year or the fact that everything gets covered in a thick sheet of white snow. Combined with the sub zero cold, it's like everything is being sterilized. December is always so stressful. The party and get-together planning. The cookie baking. The pressure to buy everyone you know a present and decorate and bake cookies. It gets to be too much.
And then after New Year's it all goes away. There is a long stretch before the next "big" holiday. I have nothing to do but chill.

And it's wonderful.