To contrast my last post, I love the day after Christmas. It is the harbinger of a new season for me. As the detritus of the holiday litters the home, it is time to start cleaning. Away go the wrappings and excessive packaging. Why must toys be wrapped in so much plastic and cardboard? With them, the old papers, catalogs and unneeded magazines from the living room are swept away. As the new socks and shirts go into the drawers, the ripped and stained ones make their way to the rag bin. The new toys find homes in the children's rooms, and the unused and broken toys are gathered to be discarded or given away.

Soon the tree will come down. As happy as I am to see it go up every year, I am just as happy when it comes down. The room expands as the huge tree leaves. It feels fresh and new again, an open space waiting for parties and projects. Light pours in as the blocked window is revealed again, making the room somehow more stark. The emptiness and the potential are the perfect compliment to the winter season.

I do love the days after the holiday. Once the house is put to rights again for the year, I can focus on the projects in my life that need my attention again.