I just read a piece in The New York Times that set me thinking. It was an easygoing discussion among some writers. One group argues January is the worst month of the year; the other group declares January to be the best month of the year. Like any good writing, It kindled little thought fires in my imagination.
Both sides offered valid and thoughtful reasons for their sides of the argument. I found it especially relieving that in this wearying, argumentative political season, I had the opportunity to read people present sides and make cases without yelling in ALL CAPS.
It gave me the opportunity to consider my own thoughts on the debate. My sense of the piece was that it was written by New Yorkers for New Yorkers, or at least people who call large East Coast cities their home. Maybe I am wrong about this, but as I read I felt like I should be picturing people living in tiny apartments looking down into dark winter canyons between skyscrapers that block out what little January light there might be.
The people on the pro-January side of the debate offered as evidence the chance to relax after the relentless holiday hustle and bustle that is OctNovDec. January means “lack of social obligations and a sense of calm” one person wrote. They embraced the sense of having nowhere to go and nothing to do as a good thing. These arguments revealed much to me about the participants. These people argue that clearance sales, discount theater tickets, reduced prices on many airlines, along with sparse crowds means lines are shorter which makes it easier to make restaurant reservations.
The other side, the January “haters,” Say January makes them grumpy for having to choose between endless days of indoor monotony or the time-consuming hassle of layering up and going outside in early evening darkness just to slush through snow and ice in painful bone-chilling air.
I enjoyed the arguments, I thought the exercise was a good way for people to have a low-stakes conversation that might help pass some time during the year’s first month. I decided to come up with my own reasons for and against January as the best/worst month.
I felt a New York City denizen’s reasons would be different from a resident of a rural area in the Midwest. For example, I wouldn’t be grumpy because I had left my gloves and scarf on the NYC subway. Although I might be that if I left them in a Subway sandwich shop in Trafalgar.
Anyway, I think January might be the best month because of snow. I am looking out my window at the stark beauty of January with its white snow on the dark bare tree branches. Earlier we bundled up in heavy coats, scarves, gloves and boots just to go for a walk. Going for a walk this time of year is a January gift.
But I also think January might be the worst because of the snow. It makes the world cold and it so often lingers. Eventually, the snow melts and turns everything wet and sloppy. I admit that bundling up in coats, scarves, gloves and boots every time we need to go outdoors starts to get old as the winter goes on.
January might be the best because it stays darker longer. This makes for cozy and longer sleep. January means no annoying bugs or pesky mosquitos. The landscape makes for a January beauty that I find quietly relaxing. Then again, I find the beauty of emerging spring, steaming summer, and retreating fall quietly relaxing, as well.
I think this is my problem with this thought assignment. Designating any one month or time of the year as “the best” or “the worst” is too restricting. In my mind, it simply can’t be done. It was fun to think about it, though.
Norman Knight, a retired Clark-Pleasant Middle School teacher, writes this weekly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
