February Findings

February. My least favorite month.

I'm still not sure why I think that, but I do. Already buds are appearing and the first tentative signs of Spring are in the air, so I should be happy about that. Indeed, I am. However, I just love the first day of March and am always happier when the second month has gone.

I do have plenty to celebrate. I completed my thee year vestry term (although I'm already missing that); we have a new vicar; yesterday was our eldest granddaughter Josie's 20th birthday (she think she's nearly middle-aged, bless her - I haven't the heart to tell her); I completed the redecoration of our kitchen; it will soon be "Valentine's Day" - hang on a second - is that a cause to be happy? I've never been sure about this. Many year's ago my mother called this and Mother's Day, "Woolworth's Day", her way of calling these simple days of appreciation a commercial heist I suppose. I have heard them called "Hallmark Days" since I've lived here.

Still, although I "love" all things romantic, I could never claim to be one - a romantic that is. Yes, I believe in love, was even a "make love, not war" follower in the sixties, but lovey-dovey, no. Remember, this is the guy who bought his wife of 41 years a wheelbarrow for her birthday! That's a exaggeration, by the way. As if I could really do such a thing? I guess I'm trying to say, go for Valentine's Day, if that's your style. My style? . . . . wait for it . . . . . make every day a special day for the one you love.

Gail has a daily thoughts calendar on her night stand which, after awakening and exchanging our private pleasantries each morning, she reads. This morning the quote (by Dale Evans Rogers) was:

Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights into His great truth.

Well, there we are then. I guess I'll learn to love February.

January thoughts

Into the second half January already. It's been very cold here in North Carolina, probably our coldest winter so far.

January is not my least favorite month, but it comes a close second to February. I have recovered from a stinking cold and like most men made the most of it. Usually when I have the signs of a cold, Gail proclaims that it might be best for her to emigrate. "You've done that twice already," I tell her, so it counts as an idle threat.

Our street was always passable, but with extreme caution

It's hard to imagine that we have lived here for five years. Sometimes it seems just like yesterday when we finding our way round. There is so much of this wonderful state I still want to see. I really must make time to put my thoughts and words into action.

A second cousin of mine recently contacted me regarding our family tree. I hadn't been in contact with her for far too long and we finally got round to having a chat by phone. She was keen for me to see photographs she has stored on Facebook. Hmmm! A dilemma here - I recently made my views of "social networking" well know. Shall I rejoin or not?

Call me a hypocrite (I'm sure you will) but, after a considerable amount of thought, I have done just that. I'm still determined not to be involved with the banal gossip and to strictly limit my time on FB. I'm also determined to spend more time actually having real conversations.

With just ten days of January left, I look forward not in the least to February. There are only three good things to say about this month: (1) my mother and my eldest granddaughter were born in it; (2) we can see the signs of spring giving us hope; and (3) it's the shortest!