Stuck in between the wonderment of December and the madness of March, February is my least favorite month of the year!
Come February, I am traditionally posting photos of a winter-white landscape, complaining about frigid temperatures, and longing for the color green. I am apt to reread Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “The Long Winter” or pull on my boots and trudge to the “way back” to see what havoc the resident herd of deer have bestowed upon our little acreage. I ceremoniously don my very old, very long, black wool coat with massive hood and scurry out to the mailbox to see what is inside. I keep the coat for just such times for it is as warm as it is voluminous – and it cushions my tush against any tumbles I may take while slipping and sliding here along the Cutoff.
This year has presented itself as a rather mild February; record-breaking, if fact be told. Hereabouts, we love to tout our weather records. We recognize weather-versaries, such as the renowned Valentine’s Day Blizzard, and mark in time the largest snowfall, the most sub-zero days, the most snowfall on sub-zero days, the windchill, the chilblains. (okay, I made the chilblains up).
A February phenomenon.
We have had this year a string of record-breaking February temperatures. We have had temperatures well over 60 degrees (F) for several days in a row, surpassing temperatures of 130 some years ago.
We find ourselves wandering about in light jackets – or no jackets at all. People are smiling, lawns are greening, trees are budding and folks are out-and-about picnicking, golfing, and otherwise enjoying the welcome sunshine and warmer air.
So it was that the Antler Man and I took a pleasant Saturday stroll around Lake Katherine. It was so crowded that we had to park the car in the parking lot of a nearby office complex. While parking was a challenge, walking around the lake was not, even with families and strollers, dog walkers and couples both young and not-so enjoying the gifts of nature unusual for a mid-February day.
As we walked about, we heard a flock of Sandhill Cranes, deep in the deep-blue sky, with their distinctive calls amid their great migration. A pair of swans preened in the Lake as a family of turtles sat upon logs sunning close to the shore. Further along the winding path, a single turtle positioned himself out on a fallen branch, balancing his protective shell as a gaggle of geese honked away as if in a traffic jam during rush hour.
So it is that this phenomenal February has risen in rank to one of my favorite months – at least so far this year. I say this knowing that many of you are experiencing much different weather, threatening and disastrous, in fact. Please know that my thoughts and my prayers are with you.
Thank you for the glimpse into the lovely February weather you’re having Penny! I know what harsh weather you’ve already gone through this fall and winter, so it is well earned!
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You are vey welcome. It is 65 tonight! Having lived in this area, you know how fast it can change. 🙂 I hope the storm passed you by tonight.
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It has indeed been an amazing February here. This past weekend I enjoyed being outside, soaking in the sunshine! 😀
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I am so happy to hear that you were able to enjoy some time outside last weekend. It was such a wonderful weather weekend. 🙂
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The high today here in Santa Cruz was 59 and there has been no rain for two days. Enjoy the beautiful weather Penny.
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The warm temperatures here have brought much of Chicagoland outdoors in shirtsleeves, welcoming the unseasonable weather – especially me. All the rain, mudslides, devastation from a good part of California, especially near you, bring concern for all in Mother Nature’s path. Stay safe, Gerlinde.
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I smiled all the way through this read, Penny. I was watching the Weather Channel earlier this week and I had to laugh when I discovered the temperatures in Chicago were warmer than we were experiencing in Los Angeles. Your day spent at Lake Katherine sounds absolutely wonderful. Just enjoy every day of this surprising warmth, my friend. Your garden must be so confused!
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It’s a wacky weather month, for sure, Debra. We will be in the sixties again today. It isn’t unheard of to have a few warm days in February here, but, this is a string of 60 degree days. We had several weeks without sun in January, and that was so gloomy. The sun has brought out smiles that were hiding. 🙂 The daffodils are popping through, which is fine. They can withstand cold and snow if it comes. The trees, however, are starting to bud and that is cause for concern, especially with fruit trees. Right you are, Debra, and my mantra is to enjoy each day. Thank you.
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This post made me happy (and google chilblains)! So glad you got to see the cranes and enjoy this amazing weather!
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So happy to hear it made you happy, Jennifer. 🙂 Chilblains. A rather chilly word, isn’t it?
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I googled it, Chilblains are big, fat, sore toes……they didn’t look cold, rather hot I would say…good post Penny…
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Thank you, Sharon. I appreciate it (and you).
I got a few of you to look up chilblains. It keeps coming up in books I’ve recently read set on the prairie or in the countryside of Germany or France during WWII. Cold winters without heat = chilblains and big, fat, sore toes. 🙂
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What lovely word pictures you paint. They pair so well with your photos. I have enjoyed the surprise warm days that we have had this year along with early signs of spring even though February is usually not my favorite either.
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Thank you so very much, Janet. I appreciate it. They were “surprise warm days” and I think lifted many spirits for their warmth and sunshine. On Sunday, we went for a long walk. It was 47 degrees, which, by February standards, was really quite nice, and we recalled that just a few days prior, it was 67.
I hope I remember this February in future years. 🙂
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This clinched it! I just told my husband I want to go to Lake Katherine. Never been there, but it has been tugging at my heart after reading several of your posts and seeing your pretty pictures. Thanks, Penny. I’m sure we will enjoy.
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Oh, do go to Lake Katherine, Susan. The walk around the lake is a gentle mile, and there is also a waterfall and path on the other side. If you go in warmer weather, not far, is the Plush Horse – an ice cream shop!
You are very welcome.
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Lake Katherine sounds quite wonderful at any time of the year, but especially on an unexpected perfect day in February. It’s a blessing to have natural areas like this within an easy distance from home…. I enjoyed the walk immensely…thank you for taking me along virtually.
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You are very welcome, Sallie.
It is, indeed, wonderful all year. Having such an unseasonably warm day made it even more wonderful I’m so glad that we can take each on our walks through nature. 🙂
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It was truly a February to remember! I’m sorry that our shortest month isn’t one of your favorites, dear Penny. I always look forward to all of the celebrations that February brings ~ love, friendship, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony and so many great African-American leaders. (Do I sound like a primary teacher??) 🙂 In fact, I have always wished February was a bit longer just to squeeze everyone in! Our mild, sunny days made everyone a little happier. As the days grow longer, we can see that Spring is within reach! We are looking forward to a relaxing walk around Lake Katherine this year. It sounds so lovely. The Plush Horse sounds very familiar. I wonder if that’s the ice cream parlor that we often visited in my childhood. Such sweet memories! Have a happy weekend, Penny! ♡
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Haha! You do sound like a primary teacher, Dawn. I actually was one once as well. and all those celebrations to honor. 🙂 I must truly admit to appreciation February more this year – no snowstorms and sun and warm days helped. I think I will keep a more open mind for next February.
The Plush Horse has been there for a very long time and I have friends who remember it from their childhood. It is close to Lake Katherine – and just the spot to go to after a walk around the lake on a hot day.
A little frosting of snow on the surfaces this morning, but, doesn’t look long lasting. Spring, oh-Spring, is just around the corner.
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Kindred spirits, dear Penny! Yes, let’s hold on to the warm, sunny memories of February 2017. We will always remember that Valentine’s Day blizzard of years ago, too. This morning’s dusting of snow was just the right amount. 🙂 Our gardens are certainly confused by the unseasonable weather this Winter. The promise of Spring warms our hearts every day! Warm hugs! ♡
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That Valentine’s Day Blizzard was very memorable, wasn’t it? It took me over an hour to get home from work that night (what should have been a 15 minute drive). This morning’s dusting WAS just the right amount – and you are so, so right, Dawn. Our gardens are confused. The daffodils and early bulbs will be fine, but, I do worry a bit about the fruit trees. What will be, will be.
Enjoy – and thank you.
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February and December and July and September are my favorite months of the year. In that order.
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With you on this, Nan – except for February. 🙂
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