Sunday, February 01, 2009

General update: bracing myself for February


I really don't care for February whatsoever. As I turn the calendar, I hate to say I don't have a lot to look forward to. Lots of work, dreadful weather, the feeling that winter will never end...

While I'm at it, let me throw in March, then I won't have to whine about that other disappointing month when I next turn the calendar.

March has absolutely nothing to recommend itself to me. I used to be tricked by its "harbinger of spring" quality, but, at least where we live, it's usually more of the same: lots of work, dreadful weather...and so forth.

At least I have finished my 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days list. I was right -- just doing the list took me a month. Maybe it will give me some much-needed oomph. I must admit it has already helped me focus better on what I want to do with my time.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Betty maybe you are under the S.A.D syndrom. I get that too in November and December even in sunny S.Ca. I always look so forward to read your posts because you are the first one that I found. Make sure you take vitamin D3. Maybe you miss your daughter and all those strikes must take a toll too. I wish I could cheer you up somehow. Have you ever had anything from "sabot" (I think it is what it is called)? My mother bought a huge galette there for a family reunion recently (their 5th great-grand child). I was so sorry not being in Rodez that day. "Sabot" makes wonderful pastries and quiches... Where my sister has her country side house (Condamines near Mandailles), the first harbinger of spring is when the coucous and the violettes come out. Spring will be here soon.
I left a comment on Dedene's site "aux armes citoyens". After Rush Limbaugh's comment about wanting Obama to not succeed, the working class feels pretty powerless.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps you're not listening to enough rock & roll, Betty. Go put on a Kinks album and see if that helps :-)

Randal Graves said...

March has March Madness. ;-)

Betty Carlson said...

Nadège, can you remind me who you are? You are clearly from Aveyron since you know about Le Sabot de Noël! I'm not a big sweets person though. They do have nice products. I probably have a bit of the light deprivation syndrome you mention, but I don't think it's too extreme. Spring doesn't always come that soon in Aveyron, though -- I remember a huge snowfall about 8 years back on Easter Monday!

guru, you may be right. Lately it's been Bruce Springsteen and his music tends to make me a little sad and nostalgic. Funny because he's such an upbeat performer...

Randal, what is March Madness? Is it a bloggy thing or just something I'm woefully ignorant of? BTW I hate March too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betty, I found your blog just googling for "Aveyron" about 1 year ago. My parents, sister a nephew live in Rodez. I am from the Loire Valley originally. My other sister live in the Lot, a niece near Montauban, another one in the Lot et Garonne, and another not far from Montpellier, plus my brother in law's family in Albi, Toulouse, and my sister's countryside house in Condamines (near Mandailles)... So you can only imagine how Happy I was to discover "la France profonde" to keep in touch with my adoptive region.
I think all your readers want you to regain your "joie de vivre" and pep, because your blogs are some of the best. I know time is always a problem, but I can assure you that you bring us so much pleasure.

Betty Carlson said...

Nadege -- You should send me, in an email, the names of your family in Rodez. It's such a small world here, and I know a lot of people...I might even know them!

TryingHard said...

Betty I too used to hate Jan and feb when my children were young and I was trapped inside. I love the seasons and I came to appreciate them by looking at the angle of the sun during sun rise and sunset. Also the bare trees against the grey skies looks like artwork to me. I like to take pictures early in the morning or later in the afternoon in the winter. I know how you feel because I feel blue when there is too much sun!

Naedge--that person RL is a big fat drug crazed buffon! Don't give him the power by talking about him. I was glued to the TV on inauguration day and applauding--all by myself. The feeling in the US with the new President Obama (I just like saying it) is palpable! Tonight I fell asleep in my chair watching the TV and awoke to President Obama's voice at a press conference. I can't describe the feeling I had but it was similar to my dad reassuring us everything was going to be better. The past 8 years are over thankfully and these days will go down in history as some of the darkest for the US. At least the US has respectability in the world again thanks to the american people doing the right thing and electing President Obama. Even my republican friends feel hopeful with him.