There is a stretch of short dreary days and long cold nights that arc from the winter solstice through the dreaded month of February. My greatest pleasure is the wood stove and a book. The studio is cold and uninviting unless I run an electric heater, and many days I don't. I think of this time of year as an annual retreat to regroup and renew as I map out the year ahead. This year I am spending my time creating the website, getting to know my new computer, and organizing myself. We spent a few days in the mountains. The color of the Blue Ridge skyline, the splendid sunsets help propel me forward till the land awakes again. Then I'm gonna kick some ass.