Another cold Saskatchewan winter morning but the sun is up and at it.  I have to smile and be grateful for every little bit of sunshine.  January is not an easy time for a writing challenge, or any challenge.  Coping with the cold, snow and layers of clothing is taking a heavy toll.  Perhaps I should stop thinking and talking this way.   I am adding more weight to the burden.

It is not easy to be positive in these times.  Yesterday driving home from the dog park and the library, I listened to the news of the shootings in Paris.  Locally a 19 year old man had died from a drug overdose.  He had taken a fake version of OxyContin.  The deaths from both cases seemed senseless to me.  It is best not to try too hard to understand it.  The times are in turmoil and we are all in it, trying to find our way and doing the best we can. We are all experiencing our difficulties.

My words not coming easily, I gave up.  I followed Sheba’s example and stretched out on the love seat with a book.  I watched the sunlight dance on the wall.  If I can’t write, I can always read.  The book is a good choice and a very good read – Touch by Alexi Zentner.  It is a novel about the woods, an Anglican priest and the Canadian winter.

The afternoon is almost over.  The sun has set.  I have found a few words after all.  My roomba has done a fine job with the floor today.  Life is more pleasant and easier without Sheba’s hair everywhere.  We even went for a walk in the cold – me bundled up and Sheba in her fur.  All is well.