February Light . . .

In February one notices all of a sudden that the days are drawing out . . . slowly lengthening.  It's been going on for a while, a minute here . . . a minute there, since the 21st of December . . . but now it is becoming much more noticeable . . .  I like the lengthening days.

There are moments in February twilight when the colour of the dusk deepens to a blue haze . . . and you are struck with an awareness of beauty that is half ecstasy and half sorrow . . . caught between two worlds. 

 

  There is a strange loveliness in a February twilight.  Familiar places soften into a fading mist of gauzy proportions . . . looking somehow less real . . . magical even.   It lasts but for a moment, not much more than minutes really . . . and before you know it that blue light has thinned out to grey and it is gone . . . the magic has evaporated and it is simply becoming night time.

I wait for that special light to appear each day so that I can hold it in my hands for the few moments that it is there.   It never appears in January or March . . . or any other month of the year . . . only in February.   In February it delights my soul and feeds my heart . . . this magic of nature . . . and I am grateful for eyes and a mind which are able to capture it.  

 

 

We've had some very unsettled and stormy weather this last week, perhaps there is even more snow to come. We did not get much here in Chester, but a large swathe of the country got a fair amount. This is the time of year when snow begins to lose much of it's novelty I think!   Like a guest who has outworn it's welcome we are eager to see it's backside . . .  We don't get much snow here really . . . so we mustn't complain.

It doesn't even really get all that cold . . . not much colder than -2 or -3 or -4 . . . and yet for some reason it always feels colder to me.   I have been here for 18 winters now and I can no longer imagine temperatures like -27 or -30 . . . but then again I think cold is relative.   If you are cold, you are cold, no matter how low the thermometer drops, it all feels the same.  

 

I suggested to Todd the other day that we make our Valentines for each other this year.   Of course when I was talking about it, visions of hearts and flowers and the like danced in my head.   He doesn't think he is one much for making a Valentine though.  Somehow he thinks it will be a mess as he doesn't have an artistic bone in his body . . . it would be nice though, even if it was just a stick man on a page.

I have always wanted a heart shaped box of chocolates . . . you know the pretty ones festooned with ribbons and such . . . I know the chocolates inside usually disappoint, but I just want the box so I can hoard it with all of my other like treasures!!

I am babbling now so will put an end to your misery with a thought to carry with you for today  . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 * Start this day with a song.  

Cast your burdens to the wind. 

 Dance in the new day's sun.  

Rejoice, for this day is a new beginning.  

It asks of you only that it be 

embraced and lived joyfully.
~Mrs M   •。★★ 。* 。 

 

I baked these Blueberry Cakes the other day and they went down a real treat.  Sized for just two people.  I served them warm and topped with a little quenelle of clotted cream.  Ice cream would be just as tasty.  In the English Kitchen today. 

Happy Ground Hog Day! Have a wonderful Saturday. Stay warm and stay safe  . . . don't forget! 

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And I do too!