Seed catalogues remind us that spring follows winter. Our almanac tells us that the best days to start seedbeds this month will be the 11th through the 13th and the 21st and 22nd. With a cold week ahead, daydreaming about warmer days and planning the garden might be as much energy as can be directed that way, between feeding the stove and hauling ashes. More than one grass and brush fire has been started by disposing of hot ashes improperly. Our volunteer fire fighters, always on alert to protect our lives and our property, appreciate your thoughtful caution. They will be glad for the changes in seasons too. Other interesting changes include the arrival of six big Clydesdales up on the High Road. They have plenty of territory to roam and may have been there for some while but just happened to be near the road when the Champion observed them. Farther south, another beautiful horse captured the gaze of the passer by. This one, all white and gleaming, posed for a photo.

Here is a lovely episode of the Vanzant Jam from back in 2014. Thanks to Tim Tamburrino. You may recognize some old friends.

We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather whether we like it or not. Winter has been rough already on the east coast and New England and some severe stuff is headed our way. Plenty of good firewood, propane and electricity will keep us warm, as we lament the hardships of neighbors to the north. Wilbur, the official wild Champion Groundhog, will not stroll out of his deep, cozy den and prance about for the benefit of a great gaggle of guessers and gawkers. Folks up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania will be having their big day this week. Their population is 5,770, but it swells significantly on the second as they celebrate Phil, their pet prognosticator. On that day here, we celebrate Angie Heffern, Charlene Dupre, Connie Grand, and precious friend, Judy, who is well remembered and much missed. Other folks having big days will be Sarah Cloud, Darrah Collins, Glenn Cooley and Zack Alexander. They all share their birthday on the first. The General’s son-in-law, Tom Barker, had his big day on January 28th. Birthday acknowledgements remind us of the swift passage of time and how lovely it is to have friends and family, even if by marriage.

Here is a chance to hear Herbie Johnston and friends at the Bootheel Bluegrass Festival, thanks to a lovely posting on Facebook by Sharry Lovan.

The Kansas City Chiefs are sharing a valuable opportunity. Long-time fans and new ones can grapple with how best to exhibit graciousness in loss. Just imagine how such a lesson might have benefited certain young people back in the day. Hope, up until the very last second, still ran through the kingdom only to be suddenly shattered–given way over to despair. The jubilation of the victors seems somehow excessive, though doubtlessly less excessive than our own euphoric triumph would have been. So, while gratitude for the experience might be a hard reach, acknowledgement of the effort it took win is somewhere in the neighborhood of graciousness, followed by whether we like it or not. School children will see that adults, however disappointed, can accept defeat and yet carry on with civility like Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

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