Willie said it well

“Why, what’s the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?” (William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing)

What's good about a truncated month? In February's case - not a lot. Oh well - there's Groundhog Day on February 2nd - the midpoint between Winter and Spring - to give us hope that the cold, damp, dark winter days will pass soon. And, there's Shrove Tuesday - I mean, who doesn't like pancakes? There's Valentine's Day - a time to celebrate love and lovers and faith in 'forever after'.

And, in my case, it's the month in which my first grandchild, Mattias, was born. My sister Dawn's birthday falls in February too. Both are occasions I like to celebrate.

So, all of those occasions at least help to pass the time through what, for some strange reason, seems to be the most dismal of months. We often get our coldest temperatures in 'heart' month, but according to the climatetemp.info website, February boasts the fewest days of precipitation. Of course, when we DO get precipitation, it's usually in the form of a massive dump of snow, just to remind us that Mother Nature Rules and winter is NOT over yet.

When that happens, I find it helps to curl up by the fireplace, put some music on the stereo and read and sleep until it's over. Forays into the 'wilderness' with the pooch to take care of his physical needs represent my attempts to 'get outside'.

February truly is the longest short month.

No thaw in January

Baby, it's cold outside! According to the thermometer we hung in a tree outside the dining room window the ambient temperature has ranged from -15C to -27C in the last 48 hours. Add a wee breeze and we're talking cold, folks! If I'd wanted to live in the Antarctic, I would have! I am not a winter person. Period. Bundling up like the Pillsbury doughboy just to take the dog out to piddle doesn't make me a happy camper. I do try to make the best of it - but, admittedly, grudgingly. I much prefer the chair by the fireplace, cat happily ensconced on my lap.

That said, last week-end I did brave a nasty winter storm to head up to Fredericton and participate in the annual "January Thaw Equine Expo". Despite the snow, lousy driving conditions, high winds and blustery whiteouts, approximately 50 exhibitors managed to get there and get set up in time for the 9:a.m. opening on Saturday.

Saturday dawned clear, but it was the beginning of the current nasty cold snap. Nevertheless, several hundred horse enthusiasts managed to dig out and get down to the Capital Exhibition Centre to attend the Expo, say hi to old friends, make some new ones and take in the many displays and demonstrations offered throughout the day. The event, now in its fourth year, was organized by Karen Thomas of Northstream Tack and Brenda Noble of Holiday Ranch Ltd. As usual, the two ladies did an amazing job of pulling it all together. The $2 admission plus funds raised from various on-site raffles garnered over $3500 for the area chapter of the NB Children's Wish Foundation.

I offered a few photo shoots as prizes. Linda Clark of Norton won the draw at my booth, and I'm still waiting to find out who the winners were at the Children's Wish Foundation booth and the Earth Spirit Horse Rescue booth.

Shows like this are a lot of work for the exhibitors too. It takes a long time to decide what to put in your booth and how to decorate. Then there's the set up (and the tear-down when you're exhausted). Finally, the visitors come through the door and you stand, and stand, and stand some more oh hard cement floors - smiling and greeting customers and potential customers with as much enthusiasm as your aching legs and back will allow. And after it's all over, the decorations taken down and packed up and the long drive home on a cold winter night has ended - there's nothing like a good hot bath and your very own bed to restore life to aching muscles. And on we go - gearing up for the next show - the annual Equine Review in Sussex on the week-end of May 1st. See you there?

Twenty-four of Thirty: Fall is struggling to hang on

Late yesterday afternoon and throughout the night torrential rains fell in southern New Brunswick. Today the temperature has been dropping steadily and the residual showers turned first to large flaky flurries and, more recently, to wet snow. It's technically still autumn but she is fighting a losing battle against winter's onslaught.

I'm not a winter person. I no longer enjoy outdoor winter sports like skiing, skating and toboganning. I hate feeling cold and damp and my arthritic joints protest loudly to anyone within earshot. So, since I live in the northern hemisphere the annual question becomes, how to survive another six months?

I've stocked up on long underwear, warm socks, sweaters, cozy boots, and the gas tank for the fireplace is full. Armed with good books and lots of tea - I'm taking a leaf from the big bear's notebook and hibernating as much as possible.