 Gotta Love February!_cropped.jpg) Posted by Donna MacMeans Feb 23 2012, 2:04 am The other night I went to Pilates class wearing a lightweight long sleeve Tshirt that proudly proclaims that I’m a Hopeless Romantic. Yeah, that’s true. I’m both hopeless (especially in Pilates) and romantic
However, when I was reminded that Mardi Gras is celebrated in February, and that National Margarita Day was yesterday (the same day as the beginning of Lent – was that astute planning, or what?), I wondered what other causes might be celebrated in February. Let’s face it – you gotta love a month that starts with Groundhog Day. February is American Heart Month – a good time to consider healthy lifestyle adjustments to protect this vital organ. Hopefully, pro-active measures will keep you from celebrating February’s other moniker – National Mend a Broken Heart Month. Perhaps that title wasn’t meant to be taken literally. That’s okay as Sounds like a whole lot of lovin’ is anticipated in February – and why not? We all need something to warm us up in what is traditionally a cold, snowy twenty-eight days (twenty-nine this year). What else is there to do in the cold? Why go to the library, of course. February is Library Lovers’ Month. Wouldn’t mind having that on a Tshirt as I truly love libraries and librarians. I wonder if some of those You know – I don’t why Hallmark doesn’t have cards for these causes. A good month for writers, February is International Expect Success Month, and Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month. For writers that receive one of those ever present rejection letters, don’t forget that
You might know that February is Black History Month, but did you know it is also Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month? (which explains all the wobbly wheel carts that appear in February). It’s National Bird Feeding Month, which makes sense sense as our feathered friends might be having a hard time finding food in a frozen landscape – but don’t stop with the birds. February is Bake for Family Fun Month, National Cherry Month (Anna – didn’t you blog recently on your love of cherries?), and Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month. If you bake too many yummy sweet goodies (and maybe drop some on the floor for the four legged
See – there’s something for everyone in February (especially Jo as she’ll be celebrating a birthday later this month). Now that you you can see there are infinite ways to celebrate the uniqueness of February – you won’t want the month to end…or maybe you will. Afterall, March is National Craft Month (Tawny, are you listening?) So how about you? Any plans to celebrate any of these special causes? Anything in particular you’d like to celebrate in February? Are you planning to give something up for Lent? Did you feast on something wonderful for Mardi Gras? Any librarians out there? How about Spunky Old Broads. Let’s Celebrate! Every celebration has prizes. Someone leaving a comment will have the opportunity to receive one of my books – their choice.
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. Thus I consider February as a sort of honored month as it’s synonomous with Valentine’s Day.
February is also Boost Self-Esteem Month. Take measures to celebrate it. On the other hand, those trying to have a life, a family, and a publishing career might want to honor National Time Management Month, otherwise known as (you guessed it…) February. 
Is he staying with me
Have Fun
Helen
Not only is he staying with you, Helen, but he’s miffed to learn that February isn’t Spunky Old Bird Month. He figured with the connection of Bird Feeding Month and all….wait…Bird Feeding Month? Hide your Tim-Tams!!!!
Oh, noes!!! National Bird Feeding Month! Helen, he’ll have you “Baking for the Family” and making sure to include HIM! Yikes!
Be careful that he doesn’t take up permanent residence! Eep!
Congrats on catching him for another day though. Maybe you’ll get some work out of him!
There will be at least 4 of the grandchildren visiting today and I know we will be cooking a few things so we may need to add some nice birdy things for the GR LOL
Have Fun
Helen
What a great post Donna LOL
How long did it take you to find all of these or did you know them all, I haven’t heard about any of them but I do know we have a big Mardi Gras march on in The City on March 1st which is huge here in Sydney, my eldest daughter met her boyfriend there many years ago and are still together and have given me two beautiful grandsons and one of my nephews is actually in the march this year.
I would be in The Spunky Old Broads one anyday LOL I am sure we would have a load of fun.
Looks like the GR and I may start an Eat all the Tim Tams you can day for 23rd Feb
Have Fun
Helen
LOL Helen – I love it. Tim Tam Gluttony Day — a perfect way to celebrate February 23rd.
I only knew that February was the American Heart Month – mainly from Jeanne fabulous month long blog celebration last year – and Black History Month. I discovered the others by accident through the wonders of Google. Loved the Spunky Old Broads Month. That’s really what inspired the idea for the blog. You and I can be members together.
Gee – I thought Mardi Gras would be celebrated the world over on the start of Lent. I know that’s how it works in New Orleans. Are the days of Lent different in Australia as well?
Love that your eldest came home with more than a handful of beads from the parade
Donna and Helen, I’d happily celebrate Tim Tam Gluttony Day, if I only had Tim Tams! *POUT*
Grins. However, perhaps I’ll substitute Girl Scout Cookies and have GSCookie Gluttony Day! Bwhahahahahaha!
Thin mints? Samoas? Count me in!
We’ve had my sons birthday & good news with my daughter’s eyes – just allergies – JUST they say. Poor baby!! So, nothing exciting, just family stuff.
That is good news. Eyesight is so important and troubles with allergies, while irritating, don’t sound like permanent loss of vision. BTW, February is also AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month. Your daughter has an interesting way of celebrating!
Aloha! Are the Cabana Boys passing out Margaritas and beads? February 21 was International Mother Language Day: – I wish I spoke a second language (other than a handful of words in Hawaiian).
Kim – a few words in Hawaiian contain enough letters to signify a few new language
Didn’t know that about International Mother Language Month. They are referring, of course, to the native language spoken in one’s home country and not the true International Mother Language of…”Wait, till your father gets home. I hope you have children just like you when you grow up. Because I said so…” Some things defy borders.
Hahaha! Donna, that was my immediate thought too, then when Kim mentioned Hawaiian, I realized it was Mother Tongue – as in your first language.
Kim, like you, I wish I had a second language. I have a friend who speaks 7 or 8 languages with ease. Urk! I’d be happy with English + one! I took years of French in high school and college and I can get by, but fluent? Oh heck no. :>
I haven’t celebrated any of these special causes yet, but I am a library lover so I guess I am in a way celebrating Library Lovers’ Month.
Yay Jane – Now go out there and check a book out of the library. If you need some suggestions – look to the top of the blog
Hahah! Yes, Jane, just scroll through for ideas…hahaha! Or visit the blog every day. :> (Which you pretty much do, Thank you!)
I’m off to the library today to return a bunch of books, so I’m going to celebrate that Library Lovers Day today myself! :>
I haven’t celebrated any of those but I could go with the Spunky Old Broads. I do send out pamphlets for the Heart Association in February.
Yay Dianna – So that’s three of us in the Spunky Old Broads club. How shall we celebrate? I vote for something with food and alcohol
Food and alcohol works for me Donna!
I’m looking forward to being a Spunky Old Broad shortly!
I’m celebrating the sale of my Victorian house up north on Friday – all being well! Much as I love it, it was time to hand it over to someone else who will love it and treat it well (unlike my last tenant!)
Hah! Rub it in, you youngster.
I think we Spunky Old Broads need someone to epitomize the group. I vote for Lady Violet, the Dowager on Downton Abbey played by Maggie Smith. For those unfamiliar with the series, here’s a clip. Be sure to click on Maggie Moments. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
Hugs on the loss of the Victorian. Most likely the house qualifies as a Spunky Old Broad as well.
I’ll be joining you next year, Donna!
I’m a huge Maggie Smith fan, so definitely think her Dowager Countess would be perfect.
Oooh, a Victorian! It’s lovely to hang onto them, but tenant issues…oh, lordy don’t get me started. I used to manage houses for this guy. Let’s just say people are crazy.
Ha! Fingers crossed the property transfer goes smooooooothly and w/o a hitch.
Love the Downtown Abbey/Maggie Smith clips Donna!
Just finished three straight days of parent/teacher conferences. YES, people are crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy. No wonder we write.
While those days are long behind me, I wonder if that was the teacher’s reaction at the end of our conferences. I think they might have looked at my son and daughter afterwards and thought…now I understand…
You have my every sympathy, Gillian! The tales I could tell!
It’s lovely, Jeanne, with almost all the original features restored. So much love went into that house.
No celebrating going on here this month. I may have to join those Spunky Old Broads just to get an up lift in my life, sound fun. We have been having some nice weather for Feb. so maybe I should be celebrating that. I have been able to get out and take a few walks so that’s good.
Hasn’t the winter been amazing? I’m wondering when the other shoe will drop. Probably while my husband is driving with his golf buddies to a man-trip in South Carolina next month.
Hey, lift those spirits! I know for a fact that the mail is bringing you good things
Get out and soak up some sun. Feb. 20th was Hoodie-Hoo Day – when you’re supposed to go outside, wave your hands over your head and yel “Hoodie-Hoo.” I recommend that. If it doesn’t make you feel better (and I think that’s the point) – then it’ll give your neighbors a grin 
Wow! There’s so many different days that are celebrated out there in February – let alone any other month – that I’m flat out keeping up!
I do have something in my house that’s rather special. It’s a Christmas Box that I’ve filled with cute little things that I love to open once in a while just to pull out those things and play and look at them. I call this box my Christmas Is Every Day box… because I believe that you shouldn’t have to wait until December for a present to be handed to you. So, whenever I want to be uplifted, I grab that lovely-looking-festive box and open it. What’s inside always makes me happy… no matter what time of year it is!
However, I think every day is a special day… and every month too!
What a lovely idea, Mozette!
My cluttered office is full of special things like that, especially the shelf above my desk. I love looking up at it and seeing the things that make smile. Different things catch my eye each time, so it’s great.
What a lovely concept, Mozette. I think we should add that to the list – International Every Day is Christmas Month.
While I doing keep a festive box, my dining room is always decorated for Christmas. My mother made these gorgeous plates of the 12 days of Christmas that are just too pretty to put away – so I leave them out year-round. I framed a counted cross stitch picturre of Mary Englebright’s “Believe” Santa and have that hanging as well. So it’s always Christmas at my house.
Donna, what an awesome post! I smiled from beginning to end. I’m thrilled to hear it’s Library Lover’s Month. Sounds like a great excuse to do something special for all the dear librarians in our town. Could have been great fun if we’d combined National Margarita Day!
Gillian – You’re a woman after my heart
While we’re fairly late in the month, I don’t suppose there’s anything wrong with sending a thank you note to the local library in honor of Library Lover’s Day. With all the budget cuts afoot, it sure would make their day. I may have to do that.
I had no idea there was so many things in Feb. I like the library lover’s month. I’m at the library all of the time getting books.
Rebekah – I was finalizing my tax return last night (BTW, next month is Organize Your Taxes Month), and I saw how much I spent on research books – wow! But the amount would probably be double if I had to buy all those books that I borrowed from the library. I love how you can order them online these days and then just drive over and pick them up. Gotta LOVE Libraries!
Count me in as a Spunky Old Broad celebrant.. along with National Bird Feeding — I didn’t realize that those escaped shopping carts had their own month!! Good for them!!
Cate – Isn’t it a hoot?
I always get the cart with the wobbly wheel – or the one that sticks and refuses to turn. I think those were all escapees that were recaptured and returned to the lot in February.
Welcome to the Spunky Old Broads. I’m keeping a list. Next year we wouldn’t let this month slide by without a boisterous celebration!
Helen, I’ll volunteer for National Tim Tam Gluttony Day! Just lock up the chook! I don’t want to compete with him for Tim Tams!
Wow, what an amazing list, Donna. I had no idea!
I do celebrate National Bird Feeding Month as the little moochers flock to my bird feeders all winter long. And I have a squirrel feeder to keep the squirrels from raiding the bird feeders!
And I am DEFINITELY a Spunky Old Broad ! We need t-shirts !!
T-Shirts! What an excellent idea! I’ll have to see what we can do about that.
You, my dear, go on the list.
You’ve gotta be kidding!!?? National Condom Month? Well, it’s good folks are practicing safe sex!
LOL – I imagine there’s an attractive T-shirt out there for that one.
So much to celebrate this month! Fun post, Donna *g*
I think I’m going to declare it Write Your A** Off Month in honor of my trying to do just that
Excellent Suggestion, Beth. I definitely need that month – along with a big foot properly positioned to be used as a motivator. Glad to hear you’re busy writing another fabulous book!
Wow, Feb is a lot month to celebrate. Something for almost everyday. It’s also the month to give something up you really love and is bad for your in repentance month, due to lent. It’s both indulgence and reflection month. But a lot of fun, something for everyone.
Lee -
I think that’s sort of what got me thinking about this blog. After all the umbrella drinks I consumed in Mexico last week – I figured I should give up alcoholic drinks for Lent. That’s when I learned about National Margarita Day falling on the first day of lent. How cruel is that?
But I was good. Fingers crossed that my willpower – never a strength – holds.
We don’t celebrate any of those days! But we have Runeberg’s Day and we celebrate it by eating Runeberg’s muffins!
http://finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=160145&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
Minna
Not even Valentine’s Day? I think it’s time to start celebrating over there! Heck, Runeberg Day isn’t even till May. Pick a cause and have a party. It’s Plant The Seeds of Greatness Month. Some day there might be a Minna’s Day in honor of your celebratory spirit.
Around here Valentine’s Day is “Friend’s day”. As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones. (Wikipedia)
Minna – I went to meet with some writer friends at a coffee shop this afternoon – and there in the display case were Runeberg’s Cupcakes. I recognized them by the icing and jam before I saw the sign. When I told the owner I had just learned about these cakes, her eyes lit up. I mentioned you said there weren’t a lot of celebrations in February and she said “only Sledding Day.” I guess she’s Finnish and I didn’t realize it.
Cool! Yeah, I forgot about the Sledding Day. That’s our version of Mardi Gras. On Sledding Day we eat laskiaispulla.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semla
I knew of 4 of these (Groundhog Day,
Black History, Mardi Gras, and American
Heart) but I am totally tired from reading
about the rest! The Spunky Old Broads
group sounds as if it was made for me! For
Shrove Tuesday, I didn’t follow up the call
for pancakes – I was already making a batch
of my prize-winning chili !
As for giving up something for Lent, our parish has a different focus. We encourage all our
parishioners to take up causes/projects that will be beneficial to you and others. Doing for, not giving up, such as helping in our Food Pantry.
Pat C.
I love the way your parish thinks, Pat – that’s something I could get behind! I love positive approaches!
Pat
I like that idea as well – especially as it doesn’t require the sacrifice of chocolate.
Ooh, I’m definitely in for Library Lovers! And well, I’ll be a Spunky Old Broad soon! I hope I’m spunky enough to join the celebrating! Congrats on the GR, Helen! Is he celebrating something too?
Fedora
I suspect you’ll be the Spunk Mother once you join
I love libraries and bookstores. Can you celebrate bookstores in February? I look at them like time machines go in pick up a book open it and you are instantly transported to another time and place. I love to celebrate Valentines day I will take any day to celebrate chocolate especially if I’m eating it:)
Gail -
I think we should celebrate bookstores everyday!
Would you believe the dh and I went book shopping on our honeymoon, in beautiful San Francisco? The morning after our wedding, we had champagne brunch at the Hilton, with a panoramic view of the Bay. We looked down at the neighboring streets, and there was a bookstore! It was, like, destiny.*g*
I celebrate bookstores in every city we visit, my way if supporting the local economy.
Isn’t Feb 15 national “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing” day? After all, how long does chocolate really last? Seriously!
LOL, Laney – I don’t think that’s an official celebration of Feb. 15th (which is Susan B. Anthony Day FWIW) but it should be! I always have chocolate regrets the day after.
I meant to mention the movement I’m trying
to promote. It’s the Book-Reading & Choco-
late Eating All Afternoon Society. Do you
think I would any success in promoting this
group??
Pat C.
Pat -
As long as the books are romances you can sign me up
. Books and chocolates are made to go together.
I would join that group!
OOPS! My message should have ended: Do
you think I would HAVE any success……………….??
Pat C.
Donna, what a cool post. I had no idea February was such a busy month. It’s definitely library lovers month here too and I’ve got the eight library talks in a week to prove it! It’s actually a month when the media WANTS to talk to romance writers too. Love the old broads designation!
Definitely a media-centric month for Romance writers. I would love to attend one of your talks sometime, Anna. Obviously you are in hot demand!
Snort, Donna. I think the word’s got out that I can talk underwater! And with the rain we’re having today, that might end up being a useful talent!
Wow, that’s a lot of celebrations for February. Who knew?
I suppose if one wanted you could find an official reason to celebrate everyday.
So to give everyone a head’s up – I checked for February 24. It’s National Tortillia Chip Day – break out the salsa!
I’ll go for the National Cherry Month (Yum), and the Spunky Old Broads Month. Sounds like my kind of celebration, forget Valentine’s Day.
We definitely need T-shirts!
Yay – another member for the Spunky Old Broads. I should have guessed about National Cherry Month – isn’t cherry pie the official dessert for President’s Day? We can make it the official dessert of the SOBs.
Donna, I had no idea February was such a busy month! We celebrated Valentine’s Day but none of these others, except the dh and I met in February, so we did mark that anniversary.
And I’ll tip my hat belatedly to Susan B. anthony.
Well Nancy – I’m thinking that you’ll be celebrating Mardi Gras for the next couple of years
And it’s not too late to run out and find a stray shopping cart
but I’d save that for when it’s not raining as it is here.
Wow, what a great way to cheer up on such a chilly month!
Wish I’d known about Time Management Month–I’m already so far behind!
But I have a special reason to celebrate February–today, Feb. 23rd, is my son’s birthday! He’s eleven years old.
Oh Congratulations to him and you, Saralee. Raising a young boy to manhood can be a challenge, but such a rewarding one.
Yeah – I could use some help on that Time Management thing myself. I wonder why they chose February to celebrate that particular skill?
Isn’t it great that we have so many things to celebrate in February? Makes an otherwise grey and chilly month a little brighter. I’d definitely join the Spunky Old Broads — they sound a lot more fun than the Red Hat Ladies!
Around here it’s Birthday Month. My younger son was on the 13th, my husband’s is tomorrow and mine is next Tuesday. My older son missed out — he was late being born and ended up in March. But we’re all still within a month of each other. Now ‘scuse me, I need to go bake a cake.
Wow – you take the “Bake for Family Fun Month” to extremes out of necessity
My family is somewhat similar. My daughter is a January baby. My son is March and my husband is April. So we eat a lot of cake in the winter/sprin months. But it’s needed after the excesses of Christmas. We can’t go cold-turkey on dessert 
Welcome to the Spunky Old Broads. I’m a member of Red Hats as well, but that’s not a very wild group. We do go out to eat alot
I usually eat donuts or something similar on the Tuesday before Lent begins. Obviously I give up meat on Fridays.
Donuts…yum. It’s been a while since I had a good donut. It’s a shame they’re hard to find here, but having beignets right before Lent would fit right in with Mardi Gras.
Hey Molly – are you joining the Spunky Old Broad group? You’d be the one person I could actually meet with to celebrate
Wow; that’s a lengthy list. I always associate February with Washington’s birthday (President’s Day).
Well Donna, I am the original S.O.B. Spunky Old Broad who started this holiday and coined the phrase. You be I’m aware that it spells S.O.B. and proud of it. It seems like you are one of us, and we are a great group who like to make a statement. Go to my website http://www.spunkyoldbroad.com and see what we do. Thanks for recognizing us!
February is a time to reflect on who’s in your life living or not. I’m open to hearing more about achievements of color for Black History Month and great loves around Valentine’s Day. Listening to interviews increases in this month of Lake Effect Snow which has covered every surface with a gesso of white, the flakes suspended and falling softly like in a cherished snow globe. I plan to write more about this in-between season of change.