According to the National Climatic Data Center, January is the wettest month of the year here in Healdsburg. On average, we receive between 8 -9 inches of rain at the start of each year.  And even when the forecast calls for clear skies, which it has all this week, there is still a morning layer of fog. It makes getting out of bed most difficult but the coffee does taste better when there’s a chill in the air.  Both Mike and I have wood stoves that heat our houses. When it’s pouring down and still dark outside in the early morning, I love to go out to the wood shed and gather up a load of kindling. To me, there’s something peaceful and right about starting a fire first thing using embers from the night before. It also impresses the wife when I show initiative in this regard.  After it’s been raining for days and there’s no way we can stay cooped up a second more, we gear up and get out there for a hike. This I highly recommend.