Mimi’s Corner-The Two-Headed God, Janus

Here we are mid-January, one twenty-fourth of the way through 2026. Tempus sure does fugit, doesn’t it! Keeping with the Latin heritage for a bit, we owe the Romans for “January”; they named the month for one of their gods, Janus. He was the two-headed god of doorways, looking in and looking out, or looking forward while looking backward. When we make New Year’s resolutions, we are looking forward. When we reflect on last year’s accomplishments, or rue the opportunities lost, we’re looking backward.

I used to make resolutions for the new year, writing them down on a slip of paper and shoved in a drawer or folder, forever lost among the other notes, memorabilia, sketches, recipes, clippings. I no longer bother with resolutions. I just get on with it.  An immediate “To Do” looming in my list is dealing with all the Christmas decorations. There are those determined people who take their Christmas tree and all the trimmings down immediately, the day after Christmas. Not I. It’s only after all the hustle and bustle is over that I have a chance to sit down, turn the living room lights off, and enjoy the glow of the Christmas tree. 

However, beyond a certain point, it is time to take the tree down. We are beyond the twelve days of Christmas and it’s time - time for the boxes to be brought back from storage, the ornaments are carefully removed and reboxed. Time for the house to return to its normal rather dull ambience. Not going to decorate for Valentine’s Day, or Lincoln’s or Washington’s birthday. I can go all the way to October before getting any decorations out. It may be a plain looking interior, but it’s easier to keep clean! 

So, Happy 2026 to all you faithful readers. I wonder what’s in store for us?