February's chilly reception: Cupid needs a parka and mittens

For those not in the know,
Leadville is one of THE
places to watch Burro
racing in the summer

There's a chill in the air and its name is February. I firmly believe Denver gets its coldest temps in the second month of the year. I remember as a kid watching my dad repair frozen water pipes when the mercury hit 14 below in the month more typically celebrated for romance and love. This year again Cupid needs some mittens and a parka if he's coming to town. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow when they dragged the little fella out of his cozy warm burrow which apparently means six more weeks of winter so if I was a chubby cherub I wouldn't be scampering around in my undies that's for sure. 

February derives its name from the Roman festival of Februa during which people were ritually washed. My Polar Bear plunges into icy cold water are a long, long way behind me so I'll take a pass on any recreation of this month's namesake. Still, February is a busy month. Apart from Valentines there is also Presidents' Day and its also Black History month which this year got off to a less than auspicious start when apparently six juveniles (delinquents? domestic terrorists? what best fits nowadays?) made multiple bomb threats to several HBCU's (historically Black colleges and universities). Not exactly any way to show love to your fellow man. I like the way Karyn Parsons (writer, actor, and lead in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) phrased it back in 2014: "Black history isn't a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that." Clearly we still have much to learn and as I get older I'm more and more convinced that the definition of wisdom is the appreciation of just how little we really know.

I like to learn new things. There's not much in this old world that doesn't pique my curiosity. Recently I was way, way out of my element as I took a tour of a doll house. Yup, a doll house. Not just any doll house mind you, but an effort (fittingly) of love and passion by a master craftswoman (there's a word you don't hear nearly enough) that was years in the making. Madeleine is this craftswoman's name and you can watch a video tour of her creation below. She's also an accomplished artist and I wish I had a small iota of the talent that she has. 

Speaking of learning, I'm also taking a pottery class (boy, if saying that doesn't make me feel my age I don't know what does) as well as learning to make stained glass. I mean, what else are you supposed to do when its 15-20 below? The great thing is I find myself around folks far more talented than I and I'm hoping some of that talent might rub off on me. I know, I know, wishful thinking... Still, it gets the creative juices flowing which is never a bad thing and its just plain fun to spend time with a bunch of people doing something they, yes - love. And just to stay current and hip with what's going on in the real world Adele's Vegas Show cancellation fiasco has motivated me to learn one of her songs on the guitar so when the snow is falling you'll find me Rolling in the Deep.

Like I said, February is a busy month. I'll let Punxsutawney Phil get back to his hibernation but I'm going to put those next six weeks of winter to good use. I mean, how else am I supposed to stay warm?

I was out in the frigid cold changing
the batteries on my weather station
and captured this pic of the
frost on the window of our
garden shed... BRRRRRRR....