Welcome to February

February is one of the darkest months in the Northern Hemisphere. In January we welcomed in a better (hopefully) new year and made New Year resolutions. By the end of the month, we had set them aside as being too ambitious or we had moved on to other goals and dreams. 

February is the last month of winter and in my area usually brings the most vicious winter weather, To make up for the dismal weather we face during this month there are a number of special days, in fact, one special day for every day of the month. Pick your day to celebrate.

February Daily Holidays and Observances

1.  February 1: National Freedom Day, National Dark Chocolate Day, National Serpent Day, National Baked Alaska Day, National Get Up Day

2.  February 2: Groundhog Day, National Hedgehog Day, National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day

3.  February 3: Four Chaplains Day, National Missing Persons Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Golden Retriever Day

4.  February 4: USO Day, World Cancer Day, National Homemade Soup Day

5.  February 5: National Weatherperson's Day, World Nutella Day

6.  February 6: National Lame Duck Day, Pay a Compliment Day, National Frozen Yogurt Day

7.  February 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day, Rose Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, National Bubble Gum Day* (first Friday), National Wear Red Day* (first Friday), Give Kids a Smile Day* (first Friday)

 

8.  February 8: Take Your Child to the Library Day* (first Saturday), National Kite Flying Day, Opera Day, Read in the Bathtub Day

9.  February 9, National Pizza Day, World Marriage Day* (second Sunday)

10.February 10: National Umbrella Day, Teddy Day, National Clean Out Your Computer Day* (second Monday)

11.February 11: National Inventors' Day, National Make a Friend Day, National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day, National Make a Friend Day, Get Out Your Guitar Day, International Day of Women and Girls in Science

12.February 12: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, International Darwin Day

13.February 13: World Radio Day, Galentine's Day, National Tortellini Day

 

14.February 14: Valentine's Day, National Organ Donor Day

15.February 15: Family Day (Canadian National Holiday)  National Gumdrop Day, Susan B. Anthony Day, National Bagel Day, Singles Awareness Day

16.February 16: Do a Grouch a Favor Day, National Almond Day

17.February 17: Presidents' Day* (third Monday)

18.February 18: National Battery Day, National Drink Wine Day

19.February 19: National Chocolate Mint Day

20.February 20: National Love Your Pet Day, National Muffin Day

 

21.February 21: International Mother Language Day, National Sticky Bun Day, National Caregivers Day* (third Friday)

22.February 22: George Washington's Birthday, Be Humble Day, World Thinking Day, National Margarita Day

23.February 23: National Banana Bread Day

24.February 24: National Tortilla Chip Day

25.February 25: National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, Let's All Eat Right Day, National Clam Chowder Day, National Pancake Day, World Spay Day* (last Tuesday)

26.February 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day, National Pistachio Day

27.February 27: No Brainer Day, International Polar Bear Day, National Chili Day, Digital Learning Day* (last Thursday)

 

28.February 28: National Public Sleeping Day, National Chocolate Souffle Day, National Science Day

29.February 29: Leap Day (every four years), World Rare Disease Day* (either 28 or 29 depending on the year)

 

Sliding to the Beach

I was aimlessly wandering through the Facebook posts I have saved, and I saw a video of young kids sliding down the stairs through boxes. The cardboard boxes were meant to make sliding down the stairs more fun and appear to be more dangerous to the kids. I've been thinking a lot about that chance view. As I watched my mind sprang back to the winters of my youth.

When we were young, my brother and I would hike about two miles to visit friends who had a big gully with a creek running through their property. The area was far away from the house and in the Spring and Summer, you could not get down the embankment because of the Blackberries and other bushes. However, in the dead of Winter, the banks were filled with snow and we could use them for cardboard box sliding. Every year, I think from about grade 4 to grade 9 we would go and find steeper and steeper places to go down. No adults were about, and we had a great time. Looking back I realized that the bank was not really that steep and not that long, but when I was young, I believed it to be both.

I had not thought about those adventures for many years and I realize that I hope my grandchildren get to have these life adventures. Adventures where they face imagined dangers and overcome their fears to face the adventures head-on.

Once again, I am reminded of time. The limits that ageing, and now the pandemic, impose in various ways. I hear the clock ticking and I wonder about my friends who have lost many of their physical abilities and do not live a pain-free life. I live with chronic pain and some days better than others, but the pain does not stop me from doing or dreaming of the next thing to tackle.

What I know is that some of my friends' miss is the feeling that there will always be more. More days of travelling, meeting new people, trying new things. Adventure. Freedom. Limitlessness.

My friends believe that the ship is sailing, and they are not on board. I am on board, but I sometimes wonder how long will it be before I cannot be on the boat? I wonder will I be standing with them on the beach?  And when I am on the beach, will I be looking out at the adventures I have lost like they are, or will I be looking around for the adventures I will find on the hill on the beach? I hope I will be looking for a new adventure on the hill and that I will be able to get my friends to come with me as we tackle one more slide down to the beach.

Another ZOOM meeting

My niece, Jessica, suggested and then set up a Family ZOOM meeting on December 27. It was fun after everyone figured out what they had to do to make it work. It was a pleasure to see all the Nephews, Nieces great Nephews and Nieces and my brothers and their families. In a time of isolation, we do what we can to stay in touch.

In order to not make too big of fools of themselves, my brothers decided in early December to have a practice meeting. I received an email invitation from my youngest brother who was trying to set up the practice meeting. It was wrong, and I knew it as I have participated, as many of you have, many ZOOM meetings and I recognize what the script looks like. I emailed my brother back and then he phoned me. I then set up a ZOOM meeting with him, sent him the invitation and I talked him through how to enter the meeting on the phone.

He was on, so then we went to my second oldest brother and he was talking to his daughter about what he was doing wrong and I sent him an invitation and he joined us. We walked him through the process on the phone. My last brother was being helped by his daughter and we finally were all on the ZOOM meeting. It was very good to see everyone again, as throughout the Pandemic and the various lockdowns we had only communicated by phone.

My brother Sid said why have we not done this before, and I said because we didn't think about it until Jessica came up with the idea of having the family meeting.  We agreed to set-up meetings once or twice a month in the new year so we could stay closer and see each other more.

Another ZOOM meeting is coming up soon and I am starting to look forward to them. 

And then it is winter

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.  I don't know who wrote it, but it is very thought-provoking. Makes you stop and think.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change.... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show, and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!

But at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember ...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

Live it well! Enjoy today! Do something fun! Be happy! Have a great day!

Remember:  It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

Live happy this year and every year! Lastly, consider the following:

·  Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be so - enjoy this day while it lasts.

·  Your kids are becoming you!

·  Going out is good. Coming home is better!

·  You forget names... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

·  You realize you're never going to be good at anything

·  The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

·  You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

·  You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.

·  You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what? “...” when?"... "what?”.???

·  Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

·  You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

·  What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

·  Everybody whispers.

·  You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

·  But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

·  Stay well, "OLD FRIEND

·   It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.