January 2013 again

“The cold month, the cruel month
The empty after-Yule month
Tree and lights are put away
Snow and wind or sleet each day
Dark and bitter, way too long
January”.

This month was not quite that bad for weather, but the long nights and lack of sunshine always make January painful.  While there was not much snow early in the month, by the end, Rudolph had had several events of ice and bitter cold (minus 13 twice), plus more snow, so things look ‘seasonal’ which is pretty white and cold in Wisconsin.



While the snow was still skimpy, Mark and Hilde took the ATV over to Seneca woods and found lots of interesting tracks along Elm Creek, including squirrel, rabbit, fox, deer, turkey, otter and one wolf trail.  It was great getting out there on a milder day, while the sun was low and highlighting the tracks.

Mark kept very busy this month, starting with the 2nd in Madison for a hearing, a mediation and several out of town meetings.  Hilde went along when he traveled to Algona Iowa mid-month for three days.  It could be a pleasant place in summer as there is a prairie preserve and refuge outside the tiny town, but in winter it is bleak. 

While neither Henkel got the flu, it seemed many were sick.  John and Evie were down for a couple of weeks feeling puny.  After a particularly inept snip at her toenails, Hilde ended up with a nasty infection which made taekwondo impossible and walking uncomfortable.  What a relief when these things clear up!  And there seems to be hope of getting her ear cleared up—a new ENT and new medicine might end the three months of blocked ear.  Things are looking up there.

Hilde had many extra, long meetings, including a special night session of county board, but still managed to enjoy some fun social times:  lunches with Claudette, Joanne and most of the crafts friends really warmed up the winter days.  The senior taekwondo ladies are also busy planning a birthday celebration for Dr. Stevens in April, so Hilde worked up an invitation list and printed a few up



There was also one ‘of those’ phone calls—Jim called to report his first trip to urgent care with Rhi, who had managed to run into a table and cut the side of her lip.  She was very good while getting the stitches in and calm a week later when she told the doctor “Stitches out!”  She’s a tough little girl, who loves her rapidly growing little sister.  It is beautiful to see them together.