Spring is in the Air - in February!

Well, I'm stunned by the speed with which February has flown by and even more so by the spring-like weather we've been having. As you can see, the azaleas, daffodils, and redbuds are in full bloom, and I spared you a photo of the pollen that covers everything! Today is a cold snap (71 at the moment), but tomorrow is supposed to be 73 with several days in the 80s next week. While this weather is very acceptable any time of the year, one can't help but wonder what we'll be having when spring actually arrives, and I can't even think about summer! Combine this with what is happening in parts of California - snow, hale, etc. - you have to wonder. But, of course, there are still the climate change deniers....  My theory about much of what is happening in our world today is that the Universe is making every effort to tell us something, that there are things we need to do differently, but we refuse to listen.

As you know, I had a very nice birthday with friends. It was totally delightful and much appreciated, and it continued! My neighbors across the street, Maria and Mark, gave me a window bird feeder, which I thoroughly enjoy. It's so captivating and relaxing to watch the various visitors. I've placed it so I can see it when I'm in my "nest", as I am now writing this or reading, or watching TV. It's difficult to photograph them since the minute I stand up to move closer, they fly away. While I don't need to photograph them all, there is the occasional one I'd like to get a shot of in order to figure out what it is. It's also a good opportunity to improve me camera skills.

My decluttering efforts continue. I've taken a load of items to the thrift shop and cleared my junk room, again making it a bedroom. The plan is to continue this throughout the year. 

I did discover something worthwhile during my decluttering. I knew I had an old Ipad, which I intended to return to manufacturer setting and donate, but I had forgotten that I also had an old android tablet. Right about the time I found it, I read an article about uses for old tablets, and one was for recipes in the kitchen. Once it was charged, I deleted most of the apps and figured out how I could access recipes that are on my laptop. I also clip lots of recipes from FB, etc. using an app called Paprika, which was fully accessible. At some point, I will get rid of my printed recipe file once I'm sure that my favorites are in Paprika. It's really a clever use of an outdated product. In any case, my next big job is the garage, and this nice weather is forcing my hand. I've been putting it off until it warmed up and I no longer have an excuse! Who knows what I'll find in there?!

The first weekend of this month, Tippy, Keiran, and I went to Oatland Island Wildlife Center. I'd heard about it for a while and thought it too close not to check out. It's not too far out of Savannah and it was an overcast, cool day, but pleasant enough for walking around. Many museums, parks, etc. were open to the public that weekend and the park was heaving. While I thought some of the animal enclosures were very sparse, the bird enclosures were better. The birds are all rehabilitated and unable to survive in the wild, so that made their situation more understandable. The facility has an interesting history running the gamut from a plantation, to the Order of the Railway Conductor's home, to part of the CDC! You can read a brief history HERE, as well as peruse thier site. As is typical of us, we then looked for a restaurant for a late lunch. I had no idea what was close by, but when we asked Waze and Google, The Haunt popped up. It is strictly vegan and Chris and I had been there once before and really enjoyed it. We made our way there and had a delicious lunch - at least I enjoyed it and Tippy and Kieran assured me they did, too. It was a very pleasant way to spend a weekend afternoon.

That Friday (2/10), Chris, Tippy, Rhonda, and I got together for lunch at - you guessed it - Olive and Fig!! Chris's sisters had given me a generous gift certificate to O & F and I wanted to save it until Chris could attend. She arrived under her own stream and it was like old times. Since then, she has also picked up food at the Farmer's Market and brought it over for lunch. It was from a food truck whose owner/chef got rave reviews recently and is within weeks of

opening a restaurant in Bluffton (called Okan, meaning heart and soul) serving West African, Caribbean, Lowcountry food. The vegetarian food we had was delicious and I figure his restaurant will have a more expansive selection. 

It took me a little while to figure out who was behind the surprise Valentine's Day gift of tasty cookies. Come to find out, it was Chris, out and about early playing the Valentine's Day fairy! I had checked with neighbors, all of whom denied the generous deed. I had thought of Chris but ruled her out since I didn't think she had a pass. When she came over for lunch and said she didn't need a pass (she had the one used to go to Lynn's for my birthday dessert), she went to the top of the list again!! Sure enough, she was the sweet person who made my day! Thanks again, Chris.

My other endeavor is to get back into Zentangle again. I only remember one art class of any kind in my life (not that I didn't have them but they obviously left no impression) and I have no artistic ability, but this has enough structure (combining patterns) that I think I can do it and possibly improve. It also gets its name because of the Zen quality of the drawing process, and I can definitely use that!  As you can see, I started big, with no practice; but even so, I'm hoping to improve however I approach it (not interested in just doing individual patterns. I want to see something that looks complete!!). The only problem is that I haven't developed a routine. I haven't found enough time to do it regularly, and I think I'll need to do that in order to see improvement. Anyway, it's still on my radar.

I meant to mention last time how much I enjoyed Bono's book Surrender. Usually, when I say READ, I mean listen to an audiobook, which I do when I take my walk, when I walk Rosie, in the car, etc. It's a great use of times like those and they are especailly enjoyable when narrated by the author, as this one was. Anyway, I had no idea he was a religious as he is and, which I knew he was a human rights activist, I had no idea of the extext. He's also met anyone and everyone you would want to me in this lifetime. Definitely worth the listen. And if you're into animals, The Elephant Whisperer was also great.

I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying life whereever you are. I'll leave you with this cute photo of Rosie and her boyfriends, Felix and Henry. They love taking all the toys out of the basket and playing with them on the flokati.