That's All, Folks

I hate January.
Sorry for the anything-but-upbeat opener but I just had to say it.
I proclaim January the least-inspired and therefore least-inspiring month of ALL.
What I do is, I make every attempt to ignore January. I loathe and despise it that much.
Right on schedule my annual impatience for January to slide off the calendar and be gone from my sight, arrives and clouds my horizon for at least thirty-one days.
Too bad poor TG was born in January.
Every year, a month after Christmas when we are all still trying to figure out where we misplaced our resolve to eat right, exercise, and plow through the Bible like bulimic locusts, we have to work up enough excitement to put on a birthday party.
So it was that scarcely ten days into January, TG and I were in the car on the way to church and I was thinking about my own birthday.
In order to do that, I had to fast-forward not only through January, but also through February, landing in the first week of March.
I told TG I wanted to take a little trip for my birthday. I was very specific about where I want to go and how long I want to stay and what I want to do while out of town.
TG was quiet. As usual. I don't refer to him as the "clam before the storm" for nothing.
Yes; I am the storm part of that. You have been warmed warned.
However in this case I interpreted his silence as "Okay, precious, whatever you say," because at such times that's generally what it means.
But then he spoke.
"I only want one thing for my birthday," he said.
My face turned red. I was that embarrassed. I had not given TG's birthday one single thought, so busy was I plotting how to celebrate my own.
So I waited. TG eked out several more words.
"I want a golf lesson from Robin All," he elaborated.
Robin is a local pro. TG has studied with him before, both individually and as part of a group.
So. In this case all really meant All. All TG craved was some quality time with All.
Relieved that all I had to do in order to make TG's birthday dreams come true was send a group email, I did so that very afternoon.
As a result our kids pooled their racehorses and bought TG not one but several hours of individual instruction with the estimable and sought-after Robin All.
Upon receiving the gift certificate, TG was truly touched.
I could tell becuase instead of saying "That's nice," which is his reaction to virtually all gifts, be they a toothpick or a Ferrari (well, to be honest he's never gotten a Ferrari but go with me on this), he elevated one eyebrow at least a half-centimeter and uttered a single telling syllable: "Wow."
I bought my sweetheart some books, having dragged out of him at least one title he'd like to add to his collection, and having augmented that with a few more volumes I knew he'd enjoy.
Plus some Wonderful pistachio nuts (get crackin') and a package of Bahlsen Leibniz butter biscuits, for munching while reading.
On the day, pizza was ordered and a german chocolate cake was prepared. Two of our four kids were on hand for the festivities. The other two sent cards and called.
I hauled out the Pirate Party decoration purchased awhile back at the dollar store for occasions such as these.
On the very next day after TG's birthday, the buzz about the impending snowstorm boiled all around us.
And three days after the birthday, we got that rare blanket of snow.
Finally -- finally -- if I can manage to get through today, January is truly G-O-N-E gone for another year.
All good.
And that is all for now.
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Happy Friday ~ Happy Weekend ~ Happy February
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Reader Comments (8)
I hate January too...hooray for February!
I know where it is you want to go for your birthday...praying that it happens for you.
Snow pics are gorgeous.
@G .... yep! I'm Bonaventure-bound, with not one but two excellent cameras slung from my person. Let's hope for fine weather.
I can't decide if the "clam" before the storm was a purposeful transposition of letters or not. It makes sense either way, only "clam" is funnier. Knowing your proofreading skills, I am sure it must be purposeful.
And happy birthday to TG. He is a prince among clams.
I hate to differ with you, Miz Jenny, but your loving description of TG's birthday makes January quite special and not worthy of loathing.
I am not a bubbling optimist by nature, but I find January AND February quite wonderful and busy. Outside activities don't demand attention and time. By default, indoor activities get top priority. And a quality life consists of quality time on both sides of exterior walls.
@Hobbit ... definitely intentional. Clams are quiet, like my TG.
@Donna ... This like most of my posts was intended to be funny and not taken seriously in the strictest sense of the word. I write with tongue firmly in cheek all twelve months of the year. And I always (every day God gives) find something to enjoy, even if only colorful (and correct) use of language. Quality is my priority.
@Donna M., Not to differ with you Miz Donna, but I have always known Jenny to find quality time on both sides of exterior walls. Not everyone understands "tongue in cheek" ...and we all do that at times, but it's all in fun and makes life more "interesting."
@G ... Girl you always did "get" me. It's one of your uniquely endearing qualities.
LOL...being a January birthday myself, I can still understand your view of January. This one certainly hasn't started or ended well. I'm counting on the remaining 11 months to pick up the pieces ;-)