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For me, it's not about the last month being a big bully but rather the promise of spring. We're enjoying mild 70-degree weather, though February and March can still surprise us with cold snaps or snowstorms. We're still in our winter rainy season, so anything goes.
The East Coast has Punxsutawney Phil, who predicts spring like a celebrity, while California has Mojave Maxine, the laid-back desert tortoise. Instead of a crowd, she relaxes at The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert, soaking up the sun.
Maxine's annual "brumation," which sounds fancy but just means she's hibernating until it warms up. She typically goes into hiding around Thanksgiving, choosing comfort over turkey and family. When she finally re-emerges, it could be late January or early February, which might be her version of being fashionably late.
So on the calendar this month are two wedding anniversaries, and a particular favorite of mine - Chinese New Year. We're planning to visit one of the Chinese temples near us - weather permitting! And with that, I like to indulge in some good Chinese Food.
Do you like Chinese food, and how often do you eat it?
Other than that, we have no plans.
I'm a spur-of-the-moment kinda person, so who knows?? I sure don't. I just know it when the time comes - always flying by the seat of my pants.
Martin's Spurge bloomed in the backyard.
And this month, we're all watching and waiting for our favorite love birds, Liberty and Guardian.
We're hoping for some eggs very soon.
On my walk by the river -
The rest of the day, I'm doing laundry - and we might go out and do something later in the afternoon. Maybe grab some dinner, or then again, maybe not.
For February
Dear Lord, as I turn the calendar page to February, I am comforted by Your supreme reign and authority over all creation. You hold the universe in Your hands, and nothing is beyond Your knowledge or control.
You are the Alpha and Omega.
Thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of our lives. This February, help me to rest in Your sovereignty, in this topsy-turvy world. When uncertainties arise, remind me that our times are in Your Hands (Psalm 31:15). Guide me to lean not on my own understanding but to trust in Your Wisdom and Timing. May Your Grace continually fill my heart with assurance, and HOPE as we live each day of this month to the fullest.
Good afternoon, I enjoyed your post. we have a pair of bald eagles that sit up high in a tree out our front door- but since late last fall we have not seen the female sadly so thinking something happened to her-we did see a juvenile up there though before this last winter event. Will be curious if the male finds another mate soon
ReplyDeleteOh that would be nice to be that close and to watch them all the time. These two are down by the river and 4 miles or so. Wonderful creatures!
DeleteSuch a beautiful prayer to start out the month of February, and every month for that matter. May God's grace abound in our hearts and fill them with hope and love. Wishing you every blessing, Debby!
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha and blessings to you!
DeleteI had not heard of Mojave Maxine, but she sounds like a good harbinger of nice weather.
ReplyDeleteWe know, either way that nice weather is eventually coming.
DeleteI like not being so rigid and flying by the seat of my pants sometimes too. :)
ReplyDeleteYour river walk looks pretty.
I think I like the turtle better than the ground hog. He never predicts things right anyway! :)
That's retirement! No stress, no hurry, no rush. Just doing what we want, whenever we want.
DeleteWow Debby. That's one honking big turtle! I get Southern Cal weather updates from a sister who will NEVER move back to the east coast. ha hahah She loves everything there is about California. She tells me about the warm temps you are having while I shiver in my boots! I want to thank you SO MUCH for your visits to Writing Straight form the Heart. I feel so happy every time I see that you have stopped by. Have a wonderful new week! Susan
ReplyDeleteYeah they do get big. Thanks Susan for dropping by.
DeleteI love those two eagles. Gorgeous. I love February too - it is such a happy month!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful month.
DeleteThat Martin's Spurge is very interesting!! As for Chinese food, does a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet count? We don't go there (any more) because the price is high and the temptation to eat more than we should is strong! But everything I've had there is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSure it counts! I can see where that would be a problem. lol
DeleteInteresting about your turtle. We live near Canada and their groundhog predicted Spring soon..so am going with him. I love Chinese food. We usually eat it once a month. Janice
ReplyDeleteWhy not go with the Canadian groundhog. I would too.
DeleteWe like Chinese food but haven't eaten it out in years.
ReplyDeleteDon't need a groundhog or a turtle to tell me we will have 6 more weeks of winter. I only hope it is ONLY 6 more weeks. :)
Your river walk looks wonderful.
I hope people don't actually believe it - just some regional folklore.
DeleteI love the prayer at the end. Beautifully said. Amen. Your Mohave Maxine is a real class act! That's a good one. Love the smiling tree. And I enjoyed all of your post today. February can be a real mixed bag here...we're starting out with real winter (for Florida), but hopefully that will change soon. My calendar is already filling up...family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries (not ours), doctor appointments, and just stuff. Praying it will all be good. God is good, all the time. God is good. Love the eagles. I hope they do what they are supposed to do!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank You Pamela. It's a short month, so those days can sure fill up fast!
DeleteDo I like Chinese food?.....well, it's one of my favorites, with Italian being right up there with it. And I have to have Chinese food at least once a month. ; ) That will be fun to celebrate Chinese New Year, and maybe going out to a nice Chinese dinner. Maxine the Tortoise is a cutie. What an interesting plant in your back yard. What flowers bloom from it? The river looks cold, but pretty. And that is a delightful face on the tree. It must have been a pleasant surprise for you. Love the verse you shared. I can't believe you had 70 degree weather already! But like you said, winter is not over around these parts. I wish you good February days, Debby. It's always been a sweet month.
ReplyDeleteThose green things are flowers - green flowers. It should be blooming in March! We have the front door open, and it's been a very nice spring-like day. But I did hear, we MIGHT get some rain in a week. I would welcome the change.
DeleteYes February is a sweet month.
The spurge is strangely beautiful. I have never seen or even heard of it. Maxine is cute and I am glad she has a safe place to live.
ReplyDeleteYour prayer at the end is lovely. Those Eagles look so regal. Keep us posted about the eggs!! We are much colder than usual, here in central Florida. Expecting freezing temps again, for the third night in a row. This should be the end of it, though, and back to our normal 70s by Thursday! Have a blessed month and celebrate those two anniversaries. I do love Chinese food and have it at least twice a month, if not more!
ReplyDeleteLove Chinese food and as I have mentioned before Peter Chu's at the Redding airport was a goto for Jim and I when in the area.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, positive post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI prayed your prayer while reading it. thank you. I am praying for Laydee and hope she is ok and for you as you care for her. I am the opposite and find it almost impossible to do anything by the seat of my pants. I am a planner and so routine minded, it makes me crazy for routine to be broken. I have tried over the years to change that, but I am my dad's daughter, and he never could stop the routine also. My mother and my brother had to live with our routine although they were both seat of the pants people.
ReplyDeleteI do think genetics have something to do with it.
Ok a damn good post, I do like some Chinese but rarely have it, all these photos are cool, I like routines more then just winging it, odd for someone to say who lives her lfe just going with the flow
ReplyDeleteI love turtles. Enjoy your February. Sounds like fun. I've never seen a Martins flower. Looks like a nice walk. I hope your love birds show up.
ReplyDelete