It is raining cats and dogs here in Tacoma. I was planning to go for a run but now I think I am going to pretend that my knee needs one more day to heal up. It was giving me a twinge the other day. It has been cloudy and wet the last few days which means that the wet season is probably here to stay. I hear tell that as soon as it starts getting like this peoples' moods go down the toilet. They all say lack of sunlight. I do ok until about mid-january then the rain gets tedious. I am not sure how I am going to deal with the mood then, this will be the first year that I will be working on not hurting myself. I think I will get myself some beautiful stationary on which to write letters to my T. I think that I will try painting this year. I have often had the desire to paint but am convinced that I suck as an artist. I never progressed past stick figures and landscapes are right out. Last month, though, I went on an art walk and saw what people think is art and thought I can do this garbage. Most of it looks like a child could do it surely I can. Besides why do I have to make things look realistic. What is it in my past that made me believe that? I think I will start looking in the book catalogs for art books from which I can learn some techniques. I was thinking it would be fun to learn calligraphy as well. We have a cool calligraphy book at work that shows how to do all sorts of different styles of writing. I also plan to go to the hardware store and pick up a full spectrum light. I hear good things about them and their ability to prevent SAD.

But right now I am excited about the rain. I start doing different activities when the rain starts. I will be scrapbooking, playing video games, doing all the house cleaning jobs I didn't get to when it was nice out, reading in the middle of the day, all those nice things. Oh, and more baths. Nice, hot, bonewarming baths. I live in an old house so we have a lot of cold, cold drafts so hot water is essential when the chill sinks in.

I was wondering what you all do when the winter months come. Do you get down or up? Do you have different activities you do now? What are your plans to prevent cutting when the winter gets dark and dreary? Can you think of something different that you have never tried before?
Carrie

<font color=green>Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door.--Emily Dickenson