Fumbling through February
February needs some work. It may be but a blip on the calendar following massive January, but winter seems to linger here a little longer than absolutely necessary. No amount of polite coughing and clock-glancing will induce the thoughtless month to head for the archives. It’s the last one at the party. Snooping through your pantry, searching for sustenance and a reason to linger as you politely flip through catalogues of spring flowers, hoping it will get the hint…
Don’t get me wrong. Love the snow… As the first flakes fall, I’m reaching for my running shoes and thrilling to the prospect of a “snow run”. I’m all for sledding and walks in the woods. Hot cocoa advances a level or two up my food pyramid, and chocolate consumption is always a good thing.
It’s just that… by February I’ve already done all that. More than a few times… February cold fronts generate in me the polite applause mustered for the final graduates crossing the stage to the diploma table. Winter has slid from invigorating to chilly to simply too cold. We’re past the initial excitement of “snow days” from school, and unfortunately in this particular year we’ve more than met our quota (and probably yours) in illnesses.
I told a friend today that I’ve gotten to the point that I write nothing on my calendar. Planning anything is just begging for the delete key. And so I dream of my next escape…
Spring is a bit of a tease in Ohio. We always get a “run-in-your-shorts” day toward the end of January… but also at least a dusting of
snow in March or April when botany and I have just begun to grow hopeful. And so I do this dreaming thing…
At first, it’s literal dreams. I swim, snorkel, run, and occasionally fly through my own version of some warm place I haven’t yet visited. I spent a couple of nights swimming off of Barcelona last month. Last week, I bobbed my way down a spectacular canyon river and then awoke just as I was gathering my kids to snorkel (geographically unlikely, but I’m an efficient dreamer).
I’m longing for coral and fish tonight though and realize it’s time to get serious about planning some actual daytime swimming and kayaking.
My kids are traveling with their dad at the end of next month. To Hawaii, no less. The window is cracked open. Time to slip out to where I can soak in some vitamin D in massive sunny doses…
Martinique? Maybe… I’m only some 500 votes behind the leader (that’s with the “surge”, so keep it coming! Remember, your vote is also your own chance to win). I’m flipping through magazines and bookmarking websites. The rowing machine at the health club was a good work-out last night. I closed my eyes and kayaked a cerulean sea…
“Color Me Martinique” Look for this photo! 
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You have a fantastic voice and great topics on your blog, so inspiring…!!!
Thanks Terry,
I primarily record for commercial clients. It’s very fulfilling to talk heart-to-heart with these podcasts…