After a long holiday break, a federal holiday and two (recent) days of snow, it still feels like we are having more than a normal share of transitional days. For some reason, getting into this particular new year is taking a while.

Perhaps it is always like this, but more and more this month I am hearing the same thing – from many people.

The vibe is different and everyone is in a weird mood.

Even the weather is colder than it has been in the last several years.

Yep, the funk is real.

And, no…the same people are doing dry January as last year – maybe a few more calling it “damp” instead – but that isn’t it. People everywhere are easing into the new year and taking it easy. So that is not the reason.

I say, it’s time.

Most kids (the older ones that is) are back to college now. So perhaps that is what we needed to kick start 2026.

Let’s just say that we needed a few more transitional days but now, we can move into the groove and get this year going. Plus, we really can’t wait any longer, it will be February soon and people will start thinking about how to celebrate the crazy ground hog.

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl