8 reasons I’m glad it’s February

February 23rd, 2012 | by Liz | 11 Comments

If there is one month of the year that I struggle mightily to endure, it is February. In my book, the only thing February has going for it (other than the brief 24 hour glory of love called Valentine’s Day) is that it’s the shortest month of the year. Seriously, just thinking about February at other times of the year is enough to make my smile turn upside down: this is the time of year when my cabin fever reaches its peak and I sometimes find it difficult to shake the ice and snow off my soul.

But today, instead of drowning in my February blues, I’m taking a turn for the positive. Here, in random order then, are eight reasons I’m glad it’s February (I’m proceeding on the dim theory here that the power of positive thinking will make the rest of the winter a little easier to endure). I know, most people would go for ten reasons, but I don’t want to push my luck. Eight seems like a good, healthy number, don’t you think?

8. Thanks to the Dowager Countess and the rest of the Downton gang, Sunday nights in February have never been a disappointment (note to Julian Fellows–who likely doesn’t read this blog, but just in case he might one day: I love you. You are brilliant).

7. We’re currently experiencing the mildest winter that Upstate NY has had in 150 years. That means I’ve seen a lot of grass and not a lot of snow. Which is nice.

6. The mild winter means that these little guys were poking their heads out of the ground today. It’s pretty early for them to come, but whenever I see the rebirth in my flower gardens, I feel a swell of hope.

5. It’s been just cold enough that I haven’t been able to run outside, yet. This also means that I’ve avoided falling down in front of a school bus while catching a fall with my face. That’s a good thing.

4. Today is Trent’s birthday. I’m so glad he was born, even if it had to be during the most rotten month of the year.

the birthday boy and his twin

3. No daylight savings time. That means it’s dark all the time. And that means that my kids sleep a little more. Which is nice.

2. This year, it’s leap year. I’m making big plans for a leap year party. Not sure what we’re going to do, but it will be a celebration worthy of a day that only comes around once every four years.

1. In less than three months, my garden is going to look like this:

See? There really is so much to love about February. Right? Right.

Anne

Couldn’t agree more (with not liking February). Back in our teaching days its saving grace was studying Much Ado About Nothing.
Kate

I totally hear you on the mildest winter in 150 years–I’ve woken up to sunshine almost every day this week (clearly I’m not an early riser). This morning I was surprised to see snow on the ground in Ithaca, which I shouldn’t be because it IS February. The number of sunny days we’ve had this winter are ridiculous compared to last year. If only we could count on the same skies next February…
Anne

P.S. Julian Fellows totally reads this blog.
Ashley

In fact, I bet you are the reason that Julian Fellows reads this blog–just saying:)

You’ve inspired me to look at February in a positive light! And hey, it’s almost over . . . Cody also has a February birthday, so obviously the month has some merit if some pretty great guys came to earth during such a “lovely” time of year, right?
Liz

I had a very strong feeling that he did. You know he does. And probably Maggie Smith does, too.
Liz

Kate, my upstate neighbor, I think of you often as you are not too far away. Isn’t the sunshine glorious? Hasn’t this winter been unreal? We had snow here, too, this morning, and I was genuinely surprised. Then I thought, oh yeah, it’s supposed to snow…right?
Liz

Happy Birthday to Cody! You’re right–can’t be too too bad of a month if it brought great men here.
Anaise

I love February because it is garden-planning month . . . usually. It has been such a mild winter that I went out and planted peas, lettuce, and carrots TODAY!

And my Megan was born this month.

I love February.
Trishintx

I’m smiling because I planted my vegetable garden today! A mild winter for us, too–looks a little different, though. I’m impressed you managed to come up with 8 whole things to like about February! It would be rough for me, too, up thar in the frozen Tundra.
melissa

In anticipation of hating February, I decided to do a 30 day photo challenge and post a picture a day on my blog. It’s helped me see the beauty in the winter and in my everyday life. The mild weather certainly helps. Also, Downton Abbey. I think I read somewhere that Julian Fellows tweeted about how much he loves this blog.
Sarah A

I also struggle to make it through February. I appreciate you pointing out some good things–I think I needed that. Were it not for Downton and the vast amounts of chocolate I bought on clearance the day after Valentines Day it would have been a dreary month indeed!

(And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Trent!)

Hey Nonny

Then sigh not so, but let them go, And be you blithe and bonny, Converting all your sounds of woe
Into hey nonny nonny. (Much Ado About Nothing II.iii)