January is a think month because it’s too cold to do much of anything else. Or is it? January is a dark cold month. Flowers and woodchucks are deep into hibernation and deer are growing hungrier by the day. Our winter feathered friends such as juncos, cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, sparrows, wood peckers, nuthatch, titmice, crows, and turkey are busy scratching for a meal. Ice is busy splitting rock cliffs and loosening soil in meadows. Most trees stand naked counting down the days until the sap will run once again. Canada’s climate is with us once again. January does not have to be a do nothing month. There are many winter hobbies to brighten up a winter day. Winter is the best time of year to prune trees and shrubs. The branching structure is exposed and the sap is not flowing.

Winter hikes can be fun. Walking is some of the best exercise and with the snow on the ground it can be interesting to see what animals have tracked up mid-winter’s snow pack in our woods. Hiking at night during January’s full or wolf moon is always something I look forward to. Ice skating at the Trinity Pawling rink or ice fishing can be a fun afternoon over at Whaley Lake. Lake ice can be tricky so be careful.

Last summer’s garden is in the pantry or freezer so baking, cooking, and eating is fun and one of my favorite winter sports. Please be advised, cold winter wind can be a killer so please dress appropriately when venturing out into cold windy conditions especially when skiing or snowmobiling. Winter is long in these parts so get out and enjoy it. We can all use the exercise.