The weather forecast predicts 2-5” of snow. This winter, any significant accumulation has been absent, and while I am eager for spring’s arrival, I mourn the lack of a typical winter.  There is a certain delicious anticipation of falling asleep and waking to a transformed world. The bonus is when they declare a snow day and cancel normal activities.

A snow day is Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Hey, y’all have been working hard, how about we take a break and stay home?” We have permission to sleep late, play, and indulge in a world run by our vivid imaginations. This world encourages creating snow angels, building snowmen, and snow forts designed as impenetrable bases designed for epic snowball fights, and culminates in toasted marshmallow piled high atop hot cocoa filled mugs.

After playing outside and unusual physical exertion, there is blissful comfort to curl before a crackling fire with a favorite book. Escapism, release from reality, suspension of disbelief, is embodied in translucent snowflakes, a translucence that reflects ambient light. It is the reason snow most often appears white, but deep snow can appear blue, and under the right conditions it looks pink. It is a magical substance that dares us to image the unimaginable.

Where do you find enchanted days?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Who is afraid of Virginia Woolf when she gives such great advice? I am relieved to discover I require only money and my room. I have undertaken a whole-house remodeling project, which includes knocking down walls, putting in structural beams, opening the floor plan, redesigning, and repurposing rooms to better fit 21st-century life. At first, we slated the workspace to go in the loft, but plans change, needs change, and the vision changed. The non-negotiable office we moved from the loft into the current living room.

My office will accommodate two floor-to-ceiling bookcases, loaded with my books, an oak library table, a printer, my favorite laptop, and a beautiful view.  It is a slow process. I split my days between making necessary decisions: flooring, tiles, wall color, area rugs, and finding time to write. This week, work is winning.

Truthfully, I can write anywhere and trust the words will flow. My hotel accommodations have limitations, and I daydream, visualizing my new retreat. It is a delicious and decadent feeling contemplating my dedicated office. I need to call my contractor.

Do you have a dedicated writing space?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It is easy to get discouraged.  We make plans to improve our lives, transform our trajectory, and help others. The moment we set our intention to change, the universe takes notice. The cosmos believes it knows best, and everything is running fine. Who are we to step out of line, and mess with perfection?

I am not interested in living with the status quo or setting incremental goals that only require marginal increases. Small improvements allow the concept of failure to seep into our expectations when we are not looking. Thoughts like, “I’ve done this before,” or “this is a cake-walk.” invites us to take our foot from the gas pedal, and let our eye stray from the prize.

Overcoming pushback is crucial, requiring concentration and determination, regardless of the goal’s scope or complexity. Whatever the goal’s size, the stamina to overcome inertia is similar. Studies show difficult objectives correlate with greater expected satisfaction. Why waste the initial outlay of internal strength required to begin the journey on anything less than spectacular results? Whether I endeavor to move a mountain or a molehill, I must first gather the will to act.

With that in mind, my plan is to beat the odds, surpass my perceived limitations, and dream big. I won’t be wasting my time and energy on modest intentions; I am reaching for the stars.

Have you set high goals?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

During October and November, my personal prognosticator was showing his face on my back patio. We are experiencing a mild winter, but I have seen no sign of him. I wonder if he will realize what day it is, make a fateful appearance, and tell me spring is near. Hopefully, he will share his secrets and not force me to rely on Punxsutawney Phil.

Today is an astronomical holiday, the year’s first cross-quarter day, to be specific. A cross-quarter day falls halfway between the solstice and the equinox. Falling on February 2, they also call it Candlemas or Imbolc. The other three cross-quarter days are May Day, May 1st, also called Beltane; August 1st, Lughnasadh, or Lammas Day; and October 31st, Samhain, or Halloween. In our set calendar system, and with the leap year, those exact days vary somewhat, but they offer some interesting traditions to explore.

I have read an old German saying which states, “A shepherd would rather see a wolf enter his stable on Candlemas Day than see the sun shine.” This year the farmer may have more riding on either the 49er’s or the Chiefs to pay much attention to the groundhog’s predictions.

Are you hoping for a sunny Sunday? Or will you be busy voting on your favorite Super Bowl commercial?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer