While I'm not a fan of winter, February is probably my favorite of all those cold & dreary winter months.
I think my appreciation of February has something to do with its hopefulness ~ a hope for the upcoming season of spring and its promise of new beginnings. It’s also the month that celebrates the priceless gifts of friendship and love (as well as my son’s birthday). In addition, February is the shortest month of the year with the unique distinction of containing only 28 days, except leap years. Being a "non-conforming original," is one more reason I like February.
I think my appreciation of February has something to do with its hopefulness ~ a hope for the upcoming season of spring and its promise of new beginnings. It’s also the month that celebrates the priceless gifts of friendship and love (as well as my son’s birthday). In addition, February is the shortest month of the year with the unique distinction of containing only 28 days, except leap years. Being a "non-conforming original," is one more reason I like February.
On the other hand, I don’t have many good things to say about January. It's just cold and occupies a barren place as the first month in the calendar year. I actually think of January like the first pancake that needs to be thrown out until the cook gets it right. If I ever considered a winter vacation to a warmer climate ~ January would definitely be the month I'd book my magical Disney cruise.
Then there’s March, the last of the "cold & nasty" winter months. While it officially kicks off spring and wildflowers in bloom, it’s a fickle month with an unpleasant mixture of violence and calm ~ which can be really annoying. I mean, you're either spring or you're not.
Then there’s March, the last of the "cold & nasty" winter months. While it officially kicks off spring and wildflowers in bloom, it’s a fickle month with an unpleasant mixture of violence and calm ~ which can be really annoying. I mean, you're either spring or you're not.
So ... back to February. It’s 28 (or 29) days always pass quickly and are filled with the anticipation and mysterious underpinnings of hope. It’s during this month that the earth actually begins to stir in deep and imperceptible ways.
When taking a Jeffrey Woods walk in February, you can almost hear the forest softly whispering “spring” as sap begins to flow within the trees. And for those who can quiet the urge to move, lots of other changes can also be observed.
When taking a Jeffrey Woods walk in February, you can almost hear the forest softly whispering “spring” as sap begins to flow within the trees. And for those who can quiet the urge to move, lots of other changes can also be observed.
Early robins and grackles start making an appearance during this month while birds like cardinals, chickadees and many others become really vocal.
Last February, I even watched a couple of turkey vultures perched atop tall, barren trees craning their necks to get a glimpse of me ~ as I craned my neck to get a glimpse of them.
I loved our non-verbal interchange, but their eerie presence made me feel like I had fallen into a very dark & dreary fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Last February, I even watched a couple of turkey vultures perched atop tall, barren trees craning their necks to get a glimpse of me ~ as I craned my neck to get a glimpse of them.
I loved our non-verbal interchange, but their eerie presence made me feel like I had fallen into a very dark & dreary fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
Other noticeable changes as the earth begins to thaw include Jeffrey Woods’ regulars like raccoons, opossums, rabbits and squirrels who become a lot friskier as mating season approaches.
And thanks to the magical and unseen powers of spring, snowdrops (the most hopeful of all flowers) start to bloom in the woods by pushing their pristine white flowers through snow covered ground.
The cold also loses its grip on waterways like Alum Creek and even the air has a different, almost organic, fragrance that settles throughout the forest.
The cold also loses its grip on waterways like Alum Creek and even the air has a different, almost organic, fragrance that settles throughout the forest.
So despite the freezing temperatures and weary piles of snow, spring is on the move at Jeffrey Woods and every day reveals another glimpse of what’s to come.
This Valentine’s Day enjoy February's full moon scheduled for February 14th ~
an exclusive cosmic performance.
an exclusive cosmic performance.