Do you know why people celebrate Valentine’s Day? It’s because February, in its wibbley wobbley, timey wimey way, is the shortest month of the year and also the longest. It’s depressing, so a day in celebration of love and happiness- however co-opted by the flower and jewelry industries it may be- is very welcome to almost everyone. Even those of us who find it a little too sweet welcome the distraction. (An aside… I want to love Valentine’s Day but I just can’t. I usually make an effort for the kids, but it’s just a little too much pink and frou frou and sugar on top for me. I’m more of a purple and metallics and brie with red wine kind of gal, and I prefer garnets to diamonds. So sue me.)
February, have you heard the one about how house guests and fish start to stink after three days? Guess what? Today’s your third day. I want to plant zinnias and sit in the shade while the kids dig potholes in the back yard, but instead I continue to awkwardly entertain you, February, like a guest who has hung around after the appetizers have run out and the wine is empty.
This month may yet find me standing out in the driveway and shouting “GO HOME WINTER. GO HOME!” I’ve had enough rain, sleet, gray skies and sadness. I want sprouting seeds and leaves and that first robin. I expect next week will have me starting seed trays that will never survive the long wait until last frost, just to satisfy my need for green and growing things. (Sorry, seeds, that you have to die for my desire to rush spring along. Maybe one year I’ll get good enough to keep you alive until you can go outside. Then maybe the ghosts of seedlings past will stop haunting me…)
So, come on, TEAM CROCUS!!! Let’s see some daffs! Birds, how about some nest building! We are ready!!!
PS: Happy 97th birthday to the late, great, Wise and Wonderful Betty Gray. She was my grandmother and one of the many, many women I look up to and am inspired by every day. I hope all of you will celebrate all the bold, intelligent, strong women you know today, in her honor.
