Buh-bye February

 

Is it just me, or has this been the looongest short month? We've had cold, windy, snowy weather all over the country, the pandemic continues, and spring seems far away indeed.

But it hasn't been all bad! Here, in no certain order, are some of the good things about February 2021:

• My family is still happy, healthy, and hanging in there;
• Politics has simmered way down;
• The coronavirus numbers are dropping, and although it's still slow going, more at-risk people are getting vaccinated; 
• This month had some fun things to celebrate, including Black History, Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, and Mardi Gras;
• I had time to read: The Truants, by Kate Weinberg; The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig; and I'm working on The Best of Me, by David Sedaris;
• I was able to meet with both my book club and critique group via Zoom;
• The days are getting longer;
• Chocolate (which goes without saying); 
• And last but certainly not least, my talented graphic designer friend is putting the finishing touches on the cover for the sequel to my novel, Passing Through. Look for more about this in March.

Maybe it will come in like a lion, but I'm still ready for a new month. 

What made February good for you?

The Year of the Ox

This week marks the start of the Lunar New Year celebration. Although I have no Asian heritage, I love this holiday because it feels like a second fresh start for the year. Plus, the new year begins on the night of the new moon, which is symbolically interesting.

February 12, 2021 ushers in the Year of the Ox. Oxen are associated with hard work, diligence, determination, and discipline. I did not know this when I chose discipline as my word for the year, so I'm chalking that up to a happy coincidence.

Reflecting the ox's steady influence, 2021 will hopefully be a calmer, more predictable year, which sounds good to me. Additionally, it will be a year in which hard work pays off. It may feel tough and methodical, but with patience, it can be transformative. It's also a time to be organized and follow a consistent routine, perhaps by using a planner! 

I wish you lots of good fortune in the Year of the Ox! Work hard, stay the course, and hopefully we'll all have success stories to share in the coming months.