All About the month of February

 

I'm not just February 

With winds that blow 

All day, and piled-up snow; 

I'm Washington and Lincoln, too, 

Who kept our country's flag for you! 

I'm Valentine of airy grace— 

With golden hearts and hearts of lace 

And pretty cards that people send, 

Quite as a secret, to a friend. 

Though I am short of days and small,

 I'm quite a big month, after all! 

~Annette Wynn 

February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.” The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement that took place this time of year. 

FUN FACTS

• February is the only month of the year which has fewer than 30 days. There are only 28 days, with the exception of a leap year (which happens every four years) when there are 29 days.  2020 was a leap year so we will have another one in 2024
• January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar in 713 BC. Originally February was meant to be the last month of the year but was moved to the second month in 450 BC. 
• The Welsh call February "y mis bach" which means "little month". 
• It is the third month of Winter, only one month to go.
• It is named after the latin word "februum", which means  purification.
• February is a summer month in the Southern Hemisphere, but fall is approaching.
• The Anglo-saxon term for the month is "Solmonath", which means "cake month." Originally cakes were offered to the Gods in the month of February. 
• It is is called ‘helmikuu’ in Finnish, which means ‘the month of pearl’, inspired from the snow falling on tree branches and the droplets freezing on them, metaphorical with the pearls of ice.
• About 400 years ago, during the Shakespearean time, this month was known as ‘Feverell’. 
• It was also called ‘Kale-monath’ or ‘sprout-kale’ by the Saxons, which is the name for cabbage and its sprouting. 

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 2 is Groundhog Day, the day we find out whether winter will last six more weeks or call it quits early. 

 

February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. The 16th president of the United States was born in a one-room, 16x18-foot, log cabin with a dirt floor. 

 

February 12 is also Chinese New Year. This year is the Year of the Ox.  

 

February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Heads up, lovebirds! Today, the holiday is celebrated with love, flowers, and chocolate.

 

February 15 is Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday. Susan B Anthony was a famous women's rights leader. 

 

February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day! 

 

February 15 brings Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday also known as Washington’s Birthday that is celebrated on the third Monday in February. (George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22!) 

 

February 16 is Mardi Gras (aka “Fat Tuesday” or Shrove Tuesday), which is the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent begins on the following day, Ash Wednesday (February 17). It is also a day where Pancakes are traditionally served for supper in many homes. A tradition begun to help purge the home of eggs and flour, etc. before the start of Lent.  

 

Snow overhangs the window

Here delicate snow-stars, out of the cloud, 

Come floating downward in airy play, 

Like spangles dropped from the glistening crowd 

That whiten by night the milky way. 

~“The Snow-Shower,” by William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) 

 February’s full Moon reaches peak fullness at 4:19 A.M. AST on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Look skyward on Friday night to catch the best view of this full Moon! It’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. Other Native American names for this Moon are: Make Branches Fall Into Pieces Moon, Raccoon Moon, and Hunger Moon

 

Even though many roses are sold during February due to Valentine’s Day, the Violet and the Primrose are the symbolic flowers. 

The violet signifies watchfulness, loyalty, and faithfulness. Give a violet to someone to let them know that you’ll always be there for them. 

The primrose lets someone know you can't live without them. 

Like the Violet, February's birthstone is a beautiful purple colour, the Amythest. I love Amythest. Amythest is a form of quartz and can range from a pale lilac color to a deep, rich purple. 

The name is based on a Greek myth that speaks of a nymph named Amethyst who was inadvertently turned into white stone; in remorse, the Greek god Bacchus poured wine over her to turn her a beautiful purple. 

The amethyst was thought to prevent intoxication and keep its wearer thinking sharply. It was worn by English royalty in the Middle Ages.  

FEBRUARY FOLKLORE 

Married in February’s sleety weather, Life you’ll tread in tune together. 

If February give much snow, A fine summer it doth foreshow. 

Fogs in February mean frosts in May. 

If Candlemas Day [February 2] be mild and gay Go saddle your horses, and buy them hay But if Candlemas Day be stormy and black, It carries the winter away on its back. 

It is better to see a troop of wolves than a fine February.  

 

Just a bit of fun on this cold morning, the first of February 2021 

I have a very busy day ahead of me today.  I am going to look at a prospective house at 9:30 this morning and then at 11:00 Dad is taking me to look at that car.  Wish me luck on both counts.  

 

The house is rather ideal. It is a two bedroom bungalow around the corner from Eileen, not too expensive, and Tim would be able to help me with shoveling and mowing. (I would pay him of course!) But it is much in demand as someone is also going to look at it at 10:00 am.  I don't really hold out much hope as I have no references, not having lived here for over 20 years. I wonder how a person is supposed to get references . . .  anyways, we shall see what happens, and it never hurts to look.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
˛*The secret of getting ahead

is getting started.

~Sally Berger•。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  a deliciously comforting Irish Lamb Stew. Comfort food at its best! 

I hope you have a wonderful day on this first day of February. Be safe and be happy and don't forget! 

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And I do too!