February

This will be a more light-hearted post for the shortest month. I hope it will be light-hearted. Between now and when this goes out, who knows what will occur which will keep me from that intention but looking on the brighter side of life, here we go.

The large rodent in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania did see his shadow on February 2 so we’ll be having 6 more weeks of winter…no surprise. What did surprise me was learning how many lands have used animals as prognosticators…hedgehogs, badgers, bears, even snakes and the Cailleach appearing in the form of a large bird.

This is an important birthday month of my nearest (starting with me) and extending to my two dearest, one I see weekly and the other who lives in Nederland. An interesting thing about birthdays in Nederland is that the one whose birthday it is does all the work…inviting friends and family to the home and serving edibles and drinks, going to work with treats for all the coworkers, and the same if a student. Here in the USA, bringing cupcakes to school on one’s birthday often happens but the rest…nope. The importance of birthdays is Nederland is demonstrated by the ubiquitous birthday calendar which is most often found hanging in the most used toilet area above the small sink. The greeting of gefeliciteerd is extended to each person sitting in the large circle of attendees. It’s much cozier or gezelligheid to sit in a circle. I find it so delightful that you, your very self is congratulated not only if you are the celebrant but also if you are the the parent, grandparent, child, sibling, friend, coworker, etc. Once I accompanied a friend to the home of her niece whose 8 yo son had the birthday and even I got congratulated. I don’t know anywhere else this occurs. Please do tell if you’ve had a celebration similar.

Instead of cake, expect Vlaai to be served. . Vlaai could best be described as a tart which has a leaved yeast bottom formed as the container for cherries and cream, sometimes apricots and rice pudding. You get the idea. It’s delicious. And comes from the Vlaai bakkerij. The whole business is an expensive proposition. Small gifts are received and opened in front of the group who passes them around the circle. And when you turn 50, you become a Sarah or Abraham (wise, at last)…friends and family put a large figure outside your house as below (one of the daughters of my friend 10 years ago).

Back here, my friend and I always celebrate our birthdays together by going out for lunch in a more special place (old ladies don’t want to drive in the dark).

Valentines Day is on the 14th. That one is very low key in my life these days. Those hearts and chocolates appeared the day after Christmas and I’ve not been tempted one bit.

On the 16th in the USA, this year, Presidents Day is celebrated and a federal holiday. If I celebrate at all, it will be in honor of dead ones, not the current occupier.

There are many other ‘holidays’ in this short month and throughout the entire month Black History is celebrated.

Let’s celebrate where and when we can.

I said this post would be light and it is. However I have something to lighten your wallet and it’s this: Resist and Unsubscribe.

The courage is coming from the rank and file. Following Pretti’s death, more than 450 tech workers from Amazon, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Salesforce, and other companies signed a letter urging their CEOs to contact the White House, demand that ICE leave American cities, and cancel all company contracts with the enforcement agency.

Real change always comes from the American people, not from our political parties. But power doesn’t fear protests nearly as much as economic withdrawals. Getting off your couch, taking to the streets, and building community is important, but the most radical act in a capitalist society isn’t marching, it’s not spending. The reality is that this is what counts.

I’ve done as much unsubscribing as I can. Amazon will not allow a Prime member to cancel until the end of the current membership which for me is in August so I’m simply not ordering or buying anything from them.

If the below is too long for email, here is the detailed website:

resistandsubscribe.com

Here is a list to consider:

• Unsubscribe from Amazon Prime

• Unsubscribe from Audible

• Unsubscribe from Amazon Music

• Unsubscribe from Prime Video

• Unsubscribe from Amazon Grocery

• Unsubscribe from Kindle Unlimited

• Unsubscribe from Apple Music

• Unsubscribe from Apple News+

• Unsubscribe from Apple TV

• Unsubscribe from Apple One

• Unsubscribe from Apple Fitness+

• Unsubscribe from Apple Arcade

• Avoid purchasing Apple hardware products

• Delete WhatsApp

• Delete Facebook

• Unsubscribe from YouTube Premium

• Unsubscribe from YouTube Music

• Unsubscribe from YouTube TV

• Unsubscribe from Google One

• Unsubscribe from Microsoft Office

• Unsubscribe from Xbox Game Pass

• Unsubscribe from LinkedIn Premium

To end on a sweet note, here is something from the late John O’Donohue:

The inner arrival of Spring

May the dew of dreams
Fresh on the fields of night
Revive your courage
To take the first steps
Towards what you love.

May your mind stay clear
To sense the secret bounty
Waiting in the bleak
And brilliant moments of your life.

May your spirit risk
The slow excitement
Of a new beginning
That will take you home
To a place you have never known.

John O’Donohue