Sleet pelts the windows, driven sideways by 50 km per hour gusts of wind. The storm was predicted and will be over by morning, although rain showers will continue. I’m not complaining. We had an unusually dry January and we need this moisture. But… well, yes I suppose I am complaining. Just a wee bit.
Snowdrops and Hellebores are blooming, and some years by this point we’ve already had to mow the lawns. Not this year. This year the grass is sodden, and early shoots are struggling up through uncleared winter debris — orangey brown bits of cedar, hemlock needles and mud-spattered moss. I hesitate to mutter too much, given there are places where folks are still under multiple feet of snow, or a deluge of flood waters, but still….
When springtime hovers just out of reach and the weather is miserable day after day, it can be hard to keep depression from settling in.
I know of two friends who received red roses for Valentine’s Day. They’re beautiful, of course, but I don’t think anything is as romantic as having someone know me well enough to bring me a bouquet of cheery tulips. I adore tulips, and they were the perfect spirit brighteners for a blustery February 14th. (And yes, he received a kiss for his thoughtfulness!)
During this in-between-the-seasons time, another way to lift spirits is to put some energy into a project. Many years my hubby would choose the early New Year to paint a room or two. (This month he’s bucking up a tree recently felled, slowly building the pile of next winter’s firewood.) I’m more likely to rearrange furniture or start a new writing project.
This month I’ve already moved the furniture. In ten days I’ll begin the writing.
Every March a group of writers and readers band together under the banner of #MarchMadness. We encourage each other to set and fulfill significant goals, and then cheer each other on. We commit to checking in… every. single. day. all. month. long… and reporting our progress. It’s surprising how much we achieve when guilt stares us in the face. Mind you, it helps that there are prizes offered, too.
Author Denise Jaden coordinates us, but we have seven different hosts this year, one for each day of the week. (I’ll be providing Saturday #MarchMadness postings here.) Earlier this month Denise posted a heads up that “there are some great prizes trickling in – like audiobooks, and high-demand books and even at least one agent critique. Start thinking about what writing/reading/blogging goals you will set for this March, and I’ll be back soon with more details.”
Our goals aren’t necessarily lofty ones. They’re meant to be individualized to meet specific needs. Maybe you’d like to join us this time. As Denise said, start thinking about what goals you’d like to set. There will be more information coming, and on March 1st we’ll all leap into action.
Just think… before we’ve completed #MarchMadness SPRING WILL HAVE ARRIVED! Oh, joy!!! I’ll be happy-dancing! 🙂
As a writer, reader or blogger, might you be tempted to join us for #MarchMadness 2014?
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MUSINGS 
O Carol! Reading about your yard and flowers!!! has set me to thinking I should move to B.C. We are so tired of winter here. The sun shines but the thermometer continues at double digits below zero. I have literally 5 feet of snow in front of my house. I am tempted to join your March Madness writing experience. However, if you don’t mind, I may just steal the idea and start one in our area, but likely not this year. Thanks for sharing it. Have fun!
My condolences on all your snow. We had a spell of very cold weather not long ago, but there hasn’t been much snow this winter. (It varies so much from year to year.) Nevertheless, I’m *still* more than ready for spring.
I’m going to make use of my blog weekly thru March and try to do more research for the Harrison/Cera novel for my SPRINGing ahead idea al-though I’m not so sure about that “springing” part 🙂
mE
The blogging sounds like a good goal. It’ll get you writing and hopefully keep you writing. Go for it!
Totally joining in this year and will be looking forward to your Sat. posts!
Spring you say? Oddly enough the chinooks we have been getting are giving a good taste of that wonderful season. Then of course winter returns and smartens up with…it is only February.
The west coast occasionally gets an exceptionally early spring, but February is being a little too optimistic, even for us. 😉
What an innovative, inspiring project! Love the idea and looking forward following your posts on this. Have fun!
We’ve been doing #MM for a few years — I’m a relative newcomer to the group — but the terrific support is very motivational.
Your tulips look so cheery. It will be at least another two months before spring arrives here.
Thanks, Susan. I wish we could grow tulips here, but the deer eat them, so when I’m given a bouquet it’s extra special.
It’ll be quite a while before I can count of doing any gardening here, too. I’m just impatient.
I can’t or shouldn’t reply about the weather here. That would be cruel. However, I’m here to say that this weather is making it near to impossible to stay inside. However, I should also say I’ve been at the dentist’s more than the beach, if that makes you feel better. LOL.
We’re finally getting a break in the deep freeze – 40’s today! It’s a good thing my birthday month of February is short. It’s usually the nastiest for those of us in the Northeast.