The worst may soon be behind us

We survived February. There were a few days when I had my doubts that March would ever come. Winter was colder than what we have been used to lately. The snow shovel got quite a workout. Even though it is warmer and the snow has melted, I’m not ready to put the snow shovel away yet.

Today is bright and sunny and the predicted daily temperatures are supposed to be above freezing for the rest of the week. After so many cold days anything above freezing feels warm.

I do miss the annual get together at Mom’s. It was always an excuse to bake a birthday cake for all of us who were born in February and have a nice visit with my family. My brother Michael, his son Ricky, my other nephew Jadyn, my sister-in-law Sue, her granddaughter Molly, and my long lost Aunt Carol who shares a birthday with me, all were born in that chilly month. There are probably a few people I have omitted but you get the picture.

This year we sent birthday cards. No presents, no birthday cake and no visiting except by phone. Honestly, I don’t miss the presents. Gone are the days when I could browse the toy aisles and come up with something I thought they would like. I was usually wrong. The cake and sometimes cookies made up for my lousy taste in gifts.

Actually, the only cards I received this year was one from my cousin, Kim, and one from my brother- and sister-in-law, Joe and Diane.

At some time during my birthday I gave myself a present and called my daughter. I usually try to keep our conversations short because she is either driving or being mobbed by kids. But on my birthday I talk as long as either of us want to.

I found out that their water lines have been fixed and the heat is back on. She tells me that she is glad they have to wear face masks at work because it hides the smile on her face when one of her patients inadvertently says something funny. She tells me to watch for videos because baseball season has begun.

We finally hung up and a few minutes later I called her back because I forgot to ask her something.

A day or so later a package arrived for me. It is a decorative flower pot. It is a good present as my empty flower pots seem to be disappearing. I wish I had taken more of mom’s pots home than I did. That is too late now. So a new pot from my daughter is very welcome.

The paperwhites and hyacinths I received for Christmas are beginning to bloom. They smell like spring. Both my mom and my daughter despise their aroma. I still have some bulbs in the refrigerator enjoying their false winter.

Outside, the miniature heat wave is waking up the bulbs. They are poking the tips of their noses above ground. If the weather holds we should see the first of the spring bloomers showing off their blossoms soon. The tiny snowdrops and the showy Lenten roses tend to bloom first. The snowdrops show off their nodding flowers then disappear for another year. The Lenten roses hang around. Mine grew new leaves along with their old ones last year and held their flowers until early summer.

The month of March is a fickle month. It teases us with warm weather, and even the tiny ephemerals, like snowdrops and spring beauties, also known as little, bitty flowers that I don’t know what they are, are fooled into believing spring is here. The warmth lasts long enough for us to believe it is real then overnight winter will remind us that it isn’t quite finished. If we have put away the snow shovel and set a few of the houseplants outside for a day or so, then we can almost hear the weather gods laugh as we quickly drag everything back inside.

Yes, February is over. Now if we can get through March and April we should have the worst behind us.