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Happy January, everyone! I hope it has not been too dark or cold for you. It was a blessing to receive some desperately needed snow, including a couple of brief spells of warm thaw. As beautiful as winter is, I have a difficult time in the season because, oddly, I developed a rare allergy to cold temperatures about five years ago. Believe it or not, it is a real thing! And if I am not properly protected, it leaves a painful rash on my body. On this same thought, as I enter 2024, I hope I do not develop another allergy. And that one could be just as painful. I am worried about this political election year. We must not succumb to the noise, anger, name-calling, and lies that will be swirling about in our news and social media. And I have found, by sad experience, that often the best way to detect an untruth is by how loud it is spoken and how often it is repeated. If this irritates you as it does me, let us dare to turn off the cold media and step outside of the blistering noise. Enjoy God’s endless creation and enjoy the company of wildlife, friends, and family. Listen to the birds—they always speak the truth. This long, dark winter does not need to last all year! Winter is our time to prepare for spring's rebirth of warm hope. As always, your friend—Doug
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