This year is off to a wonderful start

The year 2011 has started in a wonderful way at the Ferree-Puckett home.

We were fortunate enough to ring in the new year with the company of family and friends ... and in times like these what more could anyone ask for?

What a lonely life I would lead without the love that I receive from those I hold dear to my heart.

Although it's January, a dreaded time of year for many, I am learning to accept the bitter cold. And believe me when I tell you it has not been an easy thing to agree with. January's winter winds bite. And I am constantly fighting cold hands.

The first month of the year is also my birth month. So I often dream of enjoying a warm birthday full of lots of daylight and warmth, but haven't had the luxury of spending it in the southern hemisphere yet.

Speaking of dreams, my all-time favorite vision is driving down California's Highway 1 in a vintage Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster with the top down, Steely Dan cranked, the Santa Monica Mountains to my east and the Pacific Ocean to my west, topped off with a full moon along with a clear night sky.

I've actually been close to this, but the Steely Dan and the convertible were replaced with Michael Jackson and an Acura Legend. But, what a sight to see the full moon reflecting off of the Pacific Ocean. And it was a starry, starry night ...

I have so many other dreams, but I'll save them for a different time and place. Back to reality, for now -- which also takes me back to January.

Our current month is named after the Roman god Janus -- who is depicted with two heads looking in opposite directions. Janus is the god of gates and doorways as well as beginnings, endings and time. A perfect symbol of the new year.

* What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. -- T.S. Eliot

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.