February, the sweet short month of groundhogs, love, Chinese New Year, and my birthday.

Let’s first address the rodent part of this second month.

February 2^nd is Groundhog’s Day.  This tradition officially started in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It was brought by German settlers which in their homeland initially used hedgehogs to predict spring, but when in Rome so to speak, or better said North America, pick the next best rodent alternative, the groundhog.

Happy heavenly February 2^nd birthday to my mom!

Valentine’s Day is estimated to date back to the 5^th century when Pope Gelasius first declared it to take place on February 14^th. Some believed that the date coincided with bird mating season. Hmm, how did this evolve into what we see today? Perhaps only the greatest romantic of them all, Pepe Le Pew, truly knows the answer. L ’amour!

February 17^th is the official start of the Chinese New Year, which in 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, of which I am one. This rare cycle occurs only every sixty years. Historically in some cultures this particular year was associated with negative and sexist superstitions towards women born under this sign, as being too strong willed. Today this trait would be looked upon favourably, as determination and grit are admirable qualities.

These Fire Horse years have also been historically linked to social and cultural shifts, to which I say bring them on.

So, like this lunar cycle, I date back to 1966, the year I was born.

As I have been absorbing the magnitude of this ‘true vintage’ milestone year, two quotes come to mind.

“Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege many are denied.”- Mark Twain

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”-Shakespeare

The sentiments from these wise words are ones that I will hold close and try to live by.

I will face this next decade with good humour and a thankful appreciation for all that I have…crow’s feet and laugh lines included.