Feisty, Fabulous February

Poor maligned February.

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is hated by most … in spite of having the day-for-love being plopped in the middle of it. Most people think February’s only redeeming quality is that it’s mercifully short.

For the most part, I can’t disagree.

However this year, February has been remarkably well-behaved. None of the major temper tantrums of the past two winters, and yes, while we woke up this morning to a thick blanket of fresh snow and a nasty northwest wind, February has been teasing us all month with mostly spring-like weather.

A snowy winter day through my kitchen window

I am however prepared to forgive her transgressions of the past. This has been a month when being outdoors has been a treat rather than a misery.

A walk along the shore of Lake Ontario, with a column of sunlight breaking through the clouds.

However having said that, being on the water in February wouldn’t have been an obvious choice for me, but this guy was embracing the day.

I’ve always wanted to go away in February, as many Canadians do, seeking a place of warmth and sunshine to break up the long winter.

This year I was finally given that opportunity … but to Ireland. Husband’s annual sales conference has, over the years, normally been held in sunny California, however this year they decided to shake things up a bit.

But Ireland? In February?

Of course I wanted to go. February or not.

Cue the wind, the rain, and the cold.

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is an unusual, naturally-occurring rock formation that would normally be swarming with tourists during the summer months.

We had it practically to ourselves and although I was struggling to stay on my feet in the heavy wind, I couldn’t have been happier.

The remains of Donluce Castle, Northern Ireland

Before I knew it, I was back into the day-to-day at home, and miraculously pulled into a wonderful online art class, called Abstractify.

I say ‘miraculous’ because it hasn’t been easy for this logical, Type A brain to simply “let go” and trust this alien place known as creativity.

I’m grateful that we work at our own pace because I find I’m repeating the exercises I find fun and engaging, while dragging my feet to get up the nerve to try others that are challenging and uncomfortable.

Like my first nude.

She didn’t look at all like this one.

She was terribly deformed, but my cup of pride runneth over. I work hard to prevent any innate lack of ability from discouraging me trying something new (said with tongue-in-cheek).

Sometimes it just takes a while to crank up the nerve. It made the second one so much easier to attempt… and rather more human-looking, in my ever-so-humble opinion.

After all, life is all about showing up … even during the feisty days of February.

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I discovered that I’ve missed storytelling, so I’m back with this month’s Changing Seasons challenge hosted by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.