Here we
are at the beginning of February again, still in the heart of winter. Recent snow and now an impending ice event
are pretty typical for the beginning of this month. At least it’s a short month, and once we get
through we are just weeks away from spring.
January felt really long, as it always does; I think because we were so
busy from Thanksgiving in November until ringing in the New Year that January just
feels like a huge let down. When there
is nothing really special going on and the weather decides that it means
business the days just seem to drag.
Maybe that’s why Groundhog’s Day has become such a big thing around here—people
need to focus on something outside of themselves and celebrating a rodent
seeing or not seeing its shadow is a frivolous and lighthearted thing to
do. Of course football fans are now
looking forward to the super bowl and the winter Olympics are starting so we
have a bit of a break from nonstop virus coverage and controversy. It’s a relief to think of something else for
a little while!
This is
my birth month as well as my dear friend’s and so there are 2 celebrations that
will be happening. We will be
celebrating each other from afar since we live about a 12 hours’ drive
away. Valentine’s Day is also this month
so the stores are well stocked with red and pink things—candy, cards, stuffed
toys, hearts, shirts, and all kinds of kitschy things to give your love. Restaurants are advertising their V-Day specials,
pizza places are asking for preorders of heart shaped pizzas that you can share
with your loved one. Let’s not forget
Presidents’ Day and the fact that it is Black History Month as well as Heart
Health month. Whew! Lots of special
things in February! It’s another nice
diversion from the wintry weather we get this month.
Even
though it’s a short month, and typically a cold and stormy one, I look forward
to it. Not just because of my birthday,
but the sun is getting a little stronger and higher in the sky every day, and
setting later as well. Birds sing a
little more even though the trees and ground may be covered in a blanket of
snow and ice. It’s a month filled with
the promise of the coming spring.
