We had multiple snow days this week and I’m spoiled to have a job that lets me work from home when the weather is bad. The change of routine is refreshing and I’m reminded how much I benefit from cozy surroundings. Working in my living room, instead of at a desk. Sunlight and candles, instead of florescent lights. And a fire in the fireplace.

There’s little I enjoy more than seeing a fire I started catch and burn well. I’m not ashamed to admit I use a store bought fire log to get it going, but have recently mastered the how and when of adding wood to keep it going. It’s quite satisfying. Like discovering I can buy myself flowers, it took me years to learn I don’t need someone else to enjoy (or successfully build!) a fire.

I was thinking about what it takes to feed a fire – adding the right size log, so the whole thing doesn’t roll out of the fire grate; the right positioning of the logs, so oxygen can still reach the flames; the right timing for adding a log, not too early and creating an inferno and not too late when there’s not enough flame left to build upon. My task now is to discover those same secrets for my own metaphorical fire. Most of the time it’s still trial and error, but I’m aware of the importance of feeding my fire and grateful there’s at least a flame to build on these days.

With that in mind, I was thrilled when a friend offered me the opportunity to join her in her endeavor to learn one new thing every month in 2024. Next Saturday is our first foray, trying something called SoulCollage (I promise a full blog post will follow). February’s new thing might be working with a local artist to upcycle my silverplated flatware into jewelry. That leaves us with just ten more things to come up with! Any suggestions?