Can't resist another comment. The best book I've read about our perception of time is "Unwinding the Clock" by Bodil Jönsson (1999). It's still available on AMZ but just one copy at the moment. Alibris.com (used books) has several copies.
Among her many intriguing ideas, she suggests humans set up a Time Protection Agency similar to the Environment Protection Agency. "Anything that leads us away from the 'time is money' belief is good." Jönsson provides an interesting view of contemporary life and the toll it takes on our bodies and minds.
A shout out for 30 Minute Noticing Walks in the frozen north! Since moving to Massachusetts from California two years ago I have fallen in love with winter walks. It's gorgeous here, I would say even more beautiful than in better weather...if you take the time to look UP. Noticing the amazing symmetry and artistry of a leafless, bare tree branch against the bleakest of skies is awe inspiring. As worthy as a trip to any art museum.
A beautifully and succinctly made case for what February can mean. Me, I plan to continue my Annual Cake Day celebration in honor of completing yet another orbit around the Sun. And I plan to honor each day that I manage to be kind to myself, and maybe the overflow will help me be kind to others. Practice more, suck less. Just a thought.
I started my year in January and took to heart in the first month the 30-Day Challenge recommended by Kleon, which I have been thinking about for months, maybe years. January has 31 days, so it became a 31-Day challenge.
I roped my husband into the challenge, too, and it really became quite fun. Only one or two arguments about the rules, but it was my game, my challenge and hence, my rules. (He sorta got it.)
Each day, we had to give one thing we own away. Each day, I wrote what we gave away on my January printfree.com calendar.
No matter how small, or how big, you had to give something away. Discard it in the trash, recycle it, give it to a friend or give it to Goodwill. (If you rediscover somehing and keep it, it does not count.)
The things we found to give away (and mind, you, we still have empty drawers and shelves in our house after 17 years of living here) were interesting, even if minor, everyday things. (Like how many scissors do you really need? Who used those gold brads to keep paper together anymore?)
Through the process, I uncovered things I forgot I had (like the knick knacks I kept that my grandmother gave me a zillion years ago...some are now on display, some I gave to Goodwill). Also in the process, you got really involved in better organizing the area where you found the thing you are giving away.
Our last day, we went through 6 carousels of old family slides. This was the Motherboard of all giveaways. Most went in the trash, but the good ones we projected on to an office door and took pictures of with our iPhone, and sent the digital version to family and friends. Now we can preserve them on our computer.
Now, for my 28-Day February challenge, I have committed to writing one hour every day this month. Guess what I am starting with? A "documentary" of our 30-day give away challenge. Okay, 31.
I love February! I love it in large part for the same reason some of the other commentators mentioned...it's my birth month! This year I am celebrating a milestone birthday, the one Leonard Cohen reputedly labeled "the foothills of old age", and I feel excited and happy to be able to observe it. February also has Valentine's Day and, this year, Mardi Gras, in addition to the already noted French crepe eating holiday known as la chandeleur. Lent begins this month as well, the time I prefer to 1 January for observing a leaner, lighter diet. (Especially after all the chocolate, crepes, King Cake, and birthday cake I anticipate eating during the month's first three weeks!) February here in the deep South of the US is also the time of camellias, Japanese magnolias, narcissus, snowdrops, daffodils, and I even saw purples irises on a walk last week. I am sure that if I lived further north I wouldn't be so prone to rhapsodize about this month, but even when I lived in Indianapolis, there were flower vendors selling daffodils in February even when there were no flowers to be seen above the snow blanketed ground! February is still winter, however, and therefore a time of reflection and rest before spring gets here in earnest. I hope everyone has a wonderful month. Cheers!
Gosh, Im probably past the “foothills of old age” but I love that quote. Can you tell me the year he was referring to?? And happy birthday. I love birthdays as they are the only day that the celebrant gets to choose how to celebrate!! Go for it.
I followed the link for Candlemas and found out that in France, crêpes are also a big part of the day. I am now excited for my new winter holiday where I light all my candles and eat crêpes.
P.S. Also, so glad you shared one of my favorite internet videos of all time. That news spot about February never fails to bring me some Gray Joy.
As always, the best gift this newsletter gives me is to show me that I am not alone. Yay! Yay! Yay! for the concept of SLOW starts. Or re-starts or micro-starts? My intentions for February (do a 28-day "Feathruary" on IG) may not happen until March (at which time I guess it will be "Molluscs of March" or "March Mallards" or some other such nature theme) because 4 days ago we decided to adopt a rescue dog and she deserves the best of my very limited energies (I live with Fibromyalgia). Before the new year I found a book in one of the "Little Free Library" nooks titled, One Day at a Time in Al-Anon. It is the width and length of a small index card and I thought I would start the year by painting over the "in Al-Anon" part of the title and doing a collage one 2-page spread a day then call it One Day At a Time in Collage. Haven't started. Yet. Yet. Yet. What I did start was water aerobics classes! And I restarted daily walks on the beach. And I started a monthly artists meet-up at a local coffee shop. So, while I've haven't hit any kind of groove, it hasn't been so bad, I think.
Thank you, Mary Anne. I did not use the Meet Up app. I have a relationship with the owner of the coffee shop (which is our venue) who is also an artist and I suggested that we have a meetup there. Most of the people where people she knew. We have our fingers crossed about our rescue as we are in a 2-week trial to learn if we have the skills and the setting that she needs. Thanks!
A dog!!! I'm so excited for you and can't wait hear all about her. I think it's good to have a lot of ideas about what you'd like to do, then pick and choose whatever inspires you when the moment strikes.
Apparently I am so retired I didn’t notice is was actually February. I mean, I knew it was imminent, but not really paying attention. I occupy these lousy weather days with exercises from Lynda Barry. I like to believe that she would be satisfied that I noticed how many colors there are in an angry sea, on just another day of health and contentment.
She’s doing these as part of her thesis on colour. She’s delightful as are the other people taking the course. It’s allowed me to start another 100 Day Project using watercolours to mix colours. I’m two weeks in and having a blast!
oh lovely - I spent the other day at Paper Place here in Austin going through their fountain ink swatches and selecting some new ink to buy. delightful!
In Celtic (and prior to that Wiccan and pagan) tradition, Imbolc marks the beginning of spring, as Beltane is the beginning of summer, Lughnasadh is the beginning of autumn, and Samhain is the beginning of winter.
In many parts of the US this doesn’t match up well. In Cascadia where i was born and raised (in Canada) and still live (in Washington state), this IS when we start to see the hopeful shoots of bulbs coming up: garlic, chives, hyacinths, and daffodils are all showing green in my garden today. Yay!
In this tradition, the solstices and equinoxes mark the half way points between seasons and, when added to the season starting days, make up the eight sabbats of the Celtic calendar. Now that I celebrate all eight, the year has multiple bright spots!
I had knee surgery at the beginning of January, and am just now getting more mobile and a little more comfortable sitting at my desk. February will continue to be slow and steady with mindful movement. I start PT next week.
Get well soon! I live in Victoria on Vancouver Island and I always think of February as the stirring of spring. Our daffodils are coming up on the balcony and our crow friends are making regular visits for their peanuts!
I'm just as thankful for weather that keeps me inside as weather that draws me out. February is the month for introspection, writing and reading...with a little yoga in between.
I can relate to the Capybara. I started off this February with two rounds of sauna. Great start!
Can't resist another comment. The best book I've read about our perception of time is "Unwinding the Clock" by Bodil Jönsson (1999). It's still available on AMZ but just one copy at the moment. Alibris.com (used books) has several copies.
Among her many intriguing ideas, she suggests humans set up a Time Protection Agency similar to the Environment Protection Agency. "Anything that leads us away from the 'time is money' belief is good." Jönsson provides an interesting view of contemporary life and the toll it takes on our bodies and minds.
I always think January is worse than February b/c of how long it is
A shout out for 30 Minute Noticing Walks in the frozen north! Since moving to Massachusetts from California two years ago I have fallen in love with winter walks. It's gorgeous here, I would say even more beautiful than in better weather...if you take the time to look UP. Noticing the amazing symmetry and artistry of a leafless, bare tree branch against the bleakest of skies is awe inspiring. As worthy as a trip to any art museum.
A beautifully and succinctly made case for what February can mean. Me, I plan to continue my Annual Cake Day celebration in honor of completing yet another orbit around the Sun. And I plan to honor each day that I manage to be kind to myself, and maybe the overflow will help me be kind to others. Practice more, suck less. Just a thought.
February is the best month and most underrated month of the year, because it's my birthday month :)
Happy Birthday!
I started my year in January and took to heart in the first month the 30-Day Challenge recommended by Kleon, which I have been thinking about for months, maybe years. January has 31 days, so it became a 31-Day challenge.
I roped my husband into the challenge, too, and it really became quite fun. Only one or two arguments about the rules, but it was my game, my challenge and hence, my rules. (He sorta got it.)
Each day, we had to give one thing we own away. Each day, I wrote what we gave away on my January printfree.com calendar.
No matter how small, or how big, you had to give something away. Discard it in the trash, recycle it, give it to a friend or give it to Goodwill. (If you rediscover somehing and keep it, it does not count.)
The things we found to give away (and mind, you, we still have empty drawers and shelves in our house after 17 years of living here) were interesting, even if minor, everyday things. (Like how many scissors do you really need? Who used those gold brads to keep paper together anymore?)
Through the process, I uncovered things I forgot I had (like the knick knacks I kept that my grandmother gave me a zillion years ago...some are now on display, some I gave to Goodwill). Also in the process, you got really involved in better organizing the area where you found the thing you are giving away.
Our last day, we went through 6 carousels of old family slides. This was the Motherboard of all giveaways. Most went in the trash, but the good ones we projected on to an office door and took pictures of with our iPhone, and sent the digital version to family and friends. Now we can preserve them on our computer.
Now, for my 28-Day February challenge, I have committed to writing one hour every day this month. Guess what I am starting with? A "documentary" of our 30-day give away challenge. Okay, 31.
I don't know how that's even a question! Pool party for sure!
I love February! I love it in large part for the same reason some of the other commentators mentioned...it's my birth month! This year I am celebrating a milestone birthday, the one Leonard Cohen reputedly labeled "the foothills of old age", and I feel excited and happy to be able to observe it. February also has Valentine's Day and, this year, Mardi Gras, in addition to the already noted French crepe eating holiday known as la chandeleur. Lent begins this month as well, the time I prefer to 1 January for observing a leaner, lighter diet. (Especially after all the chocolate, crepes, King Cake, and birthday cake I anticipate eating during the month's first three weeks!) February here in the deep South of the US is also the time of camellias, Japanese magnolias, narcissus, snowdrops, daffodils, and I even saw purples irises on a walk last week. I am sure that if I lived further north I wouldn't be so prone to rhapsodize about this month, but even when I lived in Indianapolis, there were flower vendors selling daffodils in February even when there were no flowers to be seen above the snow blanketed ground! February is still winter, however, and therefore a time of reflection and rest before spring gets here in earnest. I hope everyone has a wonderful month. Cheers!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Mary Anne!
Gosh, Im probably past the “foothills of old age” but I love that quote. Can you tell me the year he was referring to?? And happy birthday. I love birthdays as they are the only day that the celebrant gets to choose how to celebrate!! Go for it.
As Mary Anne mentioned, it's 70! The quote was referenced in the wonderful documentary about Leonard Cohen called "Hallelujah".
Thanks for the happy birthday wishes!
I found a reference to his quote:
In one interview, Cohen said “…seventy is indisputably not youth. It’s not extreme old age either but rather at the foothills of old age…”
I also turn 70 this August :-)
Merci! Planning my 70th this June 1, this is a great thought. Thanks for hunting it up!
Thanks for your excellent sleuthing, Mary Anne! And Happy Birthday six months early. Aren't we lucky to have made it this far?!
Yes, we are lucky. And I suspect we've both worked hard to get here, and beyond. :-)
I followed the link for Candlemas and found out that in France, crêpes are also a big part of the day. I am now excited for my new winter holiday where I light all my candles and eat crêpes.
P.S. Also, so glad you shared one of my favorite internet videos of all time. That news spot about February never fails to bring me some Gray Joy.
As always, the best gift this newsletter gives me is to show me that I am not alone. Yay! Yay! Yay! for the concept of SLOW starts. Or re-starts or micro-starts? My intentions for February (do a 28-day "Feathruary" on IG) may not happen until March (at which time I guess it will be "Molluscs of March" or "March Mallards" or some other such nature theme) because 4 days ago we decided to adopt a rescue dog and she deserves the best of my very limited energies (I live with Fibromyalgia). Before the new year I found a book in one of the "Little Free Library" nooks titled, One Day at a Time in Al-Anon. It is the width and length of a small index card and I thought I would start the year by painting over the "in Al-Anon" part of the title and doing a collage one 2-page spread a day then call it One Day At a Time in Collage. Haven't started. Yet. Yet. Yet. What I did start was water aerobics classes! And I restarted daily walks on the beach. And I started a monthly artists meet-up at a local coffee shop. So, while I've haven't hit any kind of groove, it hasn't been so bad, I think.
Love the artists meetup! Would love to do something similar. How did you find the people? Did you use the Meetup site?
And how wonderful for your rescue dog! Enjoy her!
Thank you, Mary Anne. I did not use the Meet Up app. I have a relationship with the owner of the coffee shop (which is our venue) who is also an artist and I suggested that we have a meetup there. Most of the people where people she knew. We have our fingers crossed about our rescue as we are in a 2-week trial to learn if we have the skills and the setting that she needs. Thanks!
A dog!!! I'm so excited for you and can't wait hear all about her. I think it's good to have a lot of ideas about what you'd like to do, then pick and choose whatever inspires you when the moment strikes.
Thanks and yes! Like a menu.
Apparently I am so retired I didn’t notice is was actually February. I mean, I knew it was imminent, but not really paying attention. I occupy these lousy weather days with exercises from Lynda Barry. I like to believe that she would be satisfied that I noticed how many colors there are in an angry sea, on just another day of health and contentment.
Someday I hope to be so retired I don't know what month it is!
Every year since 1995 I start my new year in February. I don’t make resolutions, I decide on revolutions I want to conquer. It’s worked.
Thanks for the blog post Austin about “ Reading Recklessly” from Adam Sternbergh. Perfection!
Also I’m taking a series of workshops on Slow Color with artist Anne Livingstone https://instagram.com/annelivingstonart?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
She’s doing these as part of her thesis on colour. She’s delightful as are the other people taking the course. It’s allowed me to start another 100 Day Project using watercolours to mix colours. I’m two weeks in and having a blast!
oh lovely - I spent the other day at Paper Place here in Austin going through their fountain ink swatches and selecting some new ink to buy. delightful!
In Celtic (and prior to that Wiccan and pagan) tradition, Imbolc marks the beginning of spring, as Beltane is the beginning of summer, Lughnasadh is the beginning of autumn, and Samhain is the beginning of winter.
In many parts of the US this doesn’t match up well. In Cascadia where i was born and raised (in Canada) and still live (in Washington state), this IS when we start to see the hopeful shoots of bulbs coming up: garlic, chives, hyacinths, and daffodils are all showing green in my garden today. Yay!
In this tradition, the solstices and equinoxes mark the half way points between seasons and, when added to the season starting days, make up the eight sabbats of the Celtic calendar. Now that I celebrate all eight, the year has multiple bright spots!
I had knee surgery at the beginning of January, and am just now getting more mobile and a little more comfortable sitting at my desk. February will continue to be slow and steady with mindful movement. I start PT next week.
sending you good healing thoughts!
Get well soon! I live in Victoria on Vancouver Island and I always think of February as the stirring of spring. Our daffodils are coming up on the balcony and our crow friends are making regular visits for their peanuts!
Ah, thank you! My mother and sister and various uncles live in Victoria and I visit often. It is one of my most favourite places.
I'm just as thankful for weather that keeps me inside as weather that draws me out. February is the month for introspection, writing and reading...with a little yoga in between.