January Wrap: A Quiet Start to The Year

January is often considered a time to reset. Whether or not we make specific resolutions to start the year, most of us have at least some thoughts as to how we would like the coming year to unfold. But even with that hope of renewal, January hasn’t been a favorite month of mine in the past. It is cold (yes, even in Arizona), not much happens, and it always seems to drag on. However, I am finding a new appreciation for January and welcoming it’s calmness after a busy December of holiday travel. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without sharing it with the kids and grandkids, and we are fortunate to be retired and have the ability to make the long road trips to visit them. But I must admit, it’s nice to have the next month to wind down and relax.

That said, the month was not without some highlights; here are a few thoughts and photos:

Books & Movies

My husband and I still enjoy going to the movies. There’s a nice theater nearby, and we go whenever something interests us. Recently, there haven’t been too many. However, I was super excited for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. I hadn’t listened to much of his music until recently but I enjoy his songs a lot. This movie doesn’t cover his entire life story, but it highlights an important time in the start of his career. I thought the move was great and very entertaining. Timothée Chalamet captured Dylan’s essence well and it included a strong performance from Edward Norton. I took a while to recognize him—when did he go from the young man in a film to the old guy? Time moves too fast! You should check this out, whether you’re a Dylan fan or not.

On my trip to Nantucket last summer, I stumbled upon some signed books by local author Elin Hilderbrand and picked up a couple to bring home. This month, I decided to dive into The Beach Club, her first novel. It’s about life at a Nantucket hotel during one memorable summer, and follows the personal dramas of the staff and some interesting guests. Elin has a talent for pulling her readers into her characters like no other! If you’re new to her work, this one’s a great starting point.

As an Elvis fan, I eagerly awaited the publication of From Here to the Great Unknown, a memoir by Lisa Marie Presley, his daughter, and Riley Keough, his granddaughter. Apparently, Lisa had been working on it for quite some time and had asked Riley for help. It was unfinished when Lisa passed away, and her daughter took on the task of completing it and having it published. I always felt bad for Lisa Marie, losing her dad at such a young age and then having to live up to his legacy. I knew her childhood was troubled, and her relationship with her mother was difficult. This book was further insight into her life, including the enormous impact of the loss of her son to suicide.

Blogging about Blogging

I promised myself to blog more this year after a slow 2024. I shared my new approach in one of my two January posts. Here they are, if you missed them:

▶︎ Adopting a Personal Approach to Blogging

▶︎ Tuesday’s Ten: 10 Bouquets to Brighten Your Day

Family Time

We had family in town from Colorado for our granddaughter’s hockey tournament this month. I love watching her play, but those small rinks where we are so close to the ice are really cold. We bundle up in heavy coats, hats, and gloves and still feel frozen. I guess living in Arizona has greatly diminished our tolerance for the cold. But she did great and scored a couple of goals for us, which makes it worthwhile.

Hockey wasn’t the only game in town; we also participated in some highly competitive bocce ball and corn hole during their visit.

Winter Golf

It’s cold in the morning, but the Arizona sun heats things up pretty quick. This year’s been cooler than usual, and there were times when the chilly air lasted throughout the day.

Neighborhood Walks

I am enjoying the beautiful desert landscaping in my neighborhood during my walks. I prefer being outdoors to going to the gym this time of year, and I’m increasing my mileage to prepare for the hiking club I plan on joining next month.