Beech Tree News Network

Although February has been called the love month, I don’t always think of it in those terms. I often associate February more with winter (cold and wet with gray tones) than with Valentine’s Day. I believe my association of February and winter has affected my attitude in other areas as well.

Gardening Readiness: Last week, I found my first-this-year plant catalogue in the mailbox. As I carried it into the house, I was so excited with the thought of spring and really nice weather that I sat down at my desk and thumbed through the catalogue immediately. The pictures of the plants and trees were beautiful, and the prices looked fair. But after one look through, I threw the catalogue away.  Buying is about timing, and somehow February is not the month to lure me into thinking about being outside and gardening.

Budget-friendly Shopping: A February 3rd article recently posted on MSN (http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/shopping-all/the-best-and-worst-thing...) suggested advice for saving money by buying things when they are cheaper. The following items were a part of the monthly lists: 

•January Buy: Fitness equipment

•February Buy: Home goods

•March Buy: Luggage

•April Buy: Running shoes

•May Buy: Mattresses

•June Buy: Outdoor gear

•July Buy: Furniture

•August Buy: Laptops

•September Buy: Patio furniture and grills 

•October Buy: Cars

•November Buy: Large and small appliances

•December Buy: Tools

Like most other people, I like to save money. The problem is I don’t tend to buy things until I need them and that time might not fall within the predicted month of savings. And a sale of home goods in February might tempt me to buy online, but probably would not lure me to a store.

Health Choices:  Better Homes & Gardens (February 2017, p. 123) included a statement that many of us are prone to overeat after doing something mentally challenging. The writer suggested a healthy choice: doing 15 minutes of exercise after thinking hard in order to prevent a snack attack. So, after we work on something like gathering tax preparation information, we should get up and do some physical activity. I could attempt to justify my extra winter pounds by using this information, but it wouldn’t be true. I’ve told my daughter that my body wants to fatten up for cold weather: it delights in filling fat cells during the first quarter of the year. In truth, I’m making less health food choices during January and February (Those winter comfort foods are so good!).

Winter months are hard months. My late friend Laura Earl Warren said, “I always think if I make it through March, I’ve got another year in me.” Laura Earl was a wise woman.