January: It’s Almost Over
Annie tracks a beetle from her favorite winter spot
January is not Annie’s favorite month. The sunroom is closed off—it’s uninsulated and too cold to leave the doors open. The sunlight is inadequate, even the usual carpet sun-patches are unreliable. And for some reason the heat that cranks out of the vent behind the headboard dares to be inconstant. She must choose between lounging there all day or risk a downstairs jaunt to see if her people have returned to the couch for some midwinter binge-watching (recently Abbott Elementary, a rewatch of Severance Season 1, another round of the delightful King the Land).
But I have great news for her. February is almost here.
“February?” you might question. “How is that any better?”
I admit February isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I have many selfish reasons to love this month (the arts & crafts appeal of Valentine’s Day; my own February birthday; and our dating anniversary is Feb. 18—and no, Lucas doesn’t love this month as much as I do but I make it pretty easy on him). Despite my personal February perks, I think I’m not alone in having some appreciation for February because:
The cabin fever of winter makes every time you get out more special (this was true of January too, we were lucky to get together a few times with different friends)
Valentine’s Day is what you make it—for pals, family, and/or romantic partner
It’s garden planning season—time to start dreaming about vegetables and adding a few more native plants to the yard… if any will fit
And… (drumroll please)
It’s short! The shortest month of the year. Once February hits you know March (spring) is just around the corner.
And I’m adding a few things to my calendar to keep things fresh:
Wednesday, Feb. 5 @ 3pm
Draw and Learn! Brazil’s Critically Endangered Araripe Manakin
Webinar, American Bird Conservancy (Free)
Friday, Feb. 7
Love Hurts with Ke Huy Quan comes out. I can’t say this looks like a great movie, but it’s supposed to take place in Milwaukee (which means playing the game: do I recognize this or did they film somewhere else) and I’ll watch just about anything with Ke Huy Quan.
Thursday, Feb. 13 @ 7pm
Land Ethic Live! The Light Eaters
Webinar, Aldo Leopold Foundation (Free)
Wednesday, Feb. 19 @ 7pm
K-Drama School with author Grace Jung
In person, Wisconsin Book Festival (Free)
What are you looking forward to this February?
Cat in a basket
Cat in a cocoon
Cat cuddle
Kettle Moraine State Forest, New Year’s Eve
The Old Ways
Robert Macfarlane hooked me with the first few pages when he described a walk in the snow, but I had trouble keeping up with this one and finally decided to put it down at page 115. (These short, cold days aren’t ideal for me to push through on a book—I will just fall asleep.) But a lot of people on goodreads like The Old Ways so maybe I’ll try it again someday… after I’m no longer haunted by his walk along the Broomway, aka “the deadliest walk in Britain.” Throw a fast-moving tide on top of the likelihood of losing my sense of direction? Not on my bucket list, not even as the last thing I ever plan to do in my life.
What stood out to you most about The Old Ways?
Speaking of haunting, Lucas shared this 3-min animation with me the other night. It’s beautiful, and one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. He watched it for the second time with me, and it didn’t hurt him any less the second time around. Fair warning has now been provided. But I still encourage watching it.
February’s Book
I am very excited about February’s Book, The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love. I’ve read it a couple times before and it pairs nicely with Valentine’s Day. If you’re in southern Wisconsin, find a Forage Kitchen and read the book over a Thai Bowl (my favorite). Forage partners with Flynn Creek Farm, which practices regenerative agriculture.
