THE SPRUCE TREE JOURNAL

A place of refuge, a time of peace, a message of hope.

January 2026

January -- the coldest month of the year in these parts. Even if it isn’t, it will still feel like it is if past years are any indication. Yet I will continue to find more peace in the frigid outdoors every day than anywhere else. Already I have seen a Snowy Owl, loads of Bluebirds, Hooded Mergansers, ducks of various species, the beautiful Wolf Moon rising over a snowy corn-stubble field, fresh snow on Hemlock boughs, and have experienced the cathartic silence of a snow-laden forest. And yet, I have twenty-seven more days to experience even more. As of today, January 04, I have hiked twenty-four miles and have spent at least a dozen additional hours just experiencing nature (I was shivering so bad yesterday trying to stand unmoving while observing the Snowy Owl, I couldn’t hold my camera still enough to take a decent photo). There’s a whole world out there, my friends, just waiting for you to engage. Grab hold of January and enjoy!

Blog

My Time Helping Santa

Well, I had a rather interesting time during my pre-Christmas sabbatical a few weeks ago.

Around the end of November, Harold Starr, editor of the local rag The North Oxford Herald Star, published a “help wanted” advertisement in search for the “right person seeking adventure and to do some good this upcoming holiday season.” And I believe I was the right person.

Monthly Mantra

Forgiveness is not forgetting; it is remembering without the bitterness.

From a Trappist monk at St Josephs' Abbey in Spencer, MA

Word Search

Be aware of this month's word manifestation during your travels over the next few weeks.

Pareidolia /per-ī-dō-lē-ə/ noun. This is the tendency to see images, such as faces, in clouds, rocks, trees, etc.

Every day along my Woodland Zen Walk, I pass what I call the "turtle-head tree.” Its two eyes, nose and mouth jut out from the bole of the tree about 20 feet off the ground. Looks like the head of a big 'ol snapping turtle. Seems to be friendly enough, though, always watching as I walk by.

This Month's Photo

Just Because...

A photo from my files.

Tufted Titmouse

Second Helping

Butternut Bisque

Banana Bread

I love banana bread. I think the whole-milk yogurt, toasted walnuts, and brown sugar set this banana bread recipe above all other versions out there. This IS my go-to recipe. Judging by how fast this bread disappears, I’d say others would agree (if you could understand them with their mouths full!).

And for gawd’s sake, don’t violate this perfect banana bread with chocolate chips, coconut, or orange peels. I heard that even the Bible forbids these ingredients in banana bread and that you can go to hell for these infractions. Bananas, brown sugar, and walnuts for flavor: nothing more, nothing less. Amen. Brother Ben.

Click the link below for full recipe.

Full Recipe

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More information, including the past Blogs, Second Helping recipes, and my publication history, is found at www.thespurcetreejournal.com.