It’s the end of February already, though this month felt sometimes like 12 years and sometimes like 12 minutes. In keeping with what I wrote earlier this month, I will limit my comments on this country’s current situation to one sentence or, better yet, one word: disgraceful. No words can accurately convey thoughts, feelings, and emotions, so I will leave it at that. News outlets, social media, neighbors, and supermarket chatter provide plenty of words – not necessarily concerned with accuracy or veracity.
The last week of the month was made marginally better by the return of warmer temperatures, the chirpy joy of hundreds of birds singing throughout the day. The peafowl in the neighborhood is once again afoot in numbers. Peacocks and peahens find spots in the sun and warm up from the chilly mornings, only to disappear or seek shade in the afternoon. It’s not “hot” (above average perhaps), but it is quite the change from February’s prolonged freezing temperatures in our neck of the woods.
Winter jackets, heavy blankets, and warm clothing are stored away (hopefully until next winter), and the hopeful transition to spring has already started in yards everywhere. Sunshine is truly a balm for the soul. The first eager buds on trees and shrubs appear, dandelions dot dormant lawns, cats and dogs are happy to chase squirrels, and dried leaves. That feeling of renewal, freshness, and crisp air paints smiles on drawn and tired faces. When I stretched this morning, I heard my bones crackle! Time for longer walks.
March marks the return of mindful crochet projects for me, and I will share my yarn-related adventures in the coming weeks. My hands seem ready to give it a go; maybe it is a bit of wishful thinking but also a bit of awareness that they are willing to try. My mind seeks that place of peaceful mindfulness whenever I pick up a crochet hook. Fellow crocheters are familiar with that desire and state of mind.
Speaking of crochet, you should dive into it. Crochet has been making a massive comeback since last year and is projected to trend well above its regained popularity. I promise, it is not difficult to learn! I look forward to devoting most of my time to all the things I have been missing or severely limited in the last few years, such as photography, crocheting, and music. I intend to protect my peace for as long as possible by choosing the best options reflecting that goal.
I have drastically reduced my use of Meta platforms and will likely exit them soon. I refuse to endorse, support, interact with, or use the services provided by any company or individual that participates in, allows, stands by, promotes, or legitimizes Meta’s hateful rhetoric. I understand that for many, using Meta’s platforms is or seems to be essential for their commercial or personal business activities. I thought it would be for me too; however, Meta never gave my business a chance: it made no qualms about taking my money to “verify” my business (or rather – as it appears – shadow-ban it altogether).
Furthermore, “Meta cut back moderation efforts designed to protect hate targets, shadow banned LGBTQ+ content, and its updated ‘community standards’ now expressly permit users to describe LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill or abnormal and to call for their exclusion from professions, public spaces, and society based on their sexual orientation and gender identity”. If you need further clarification on Meta’s policies, read this article (from which I just quoted) by Belle Torek, who penned the piece for the Human Rights Campaign.
After this fiery bit (spritzing water on the flame), it is time for me to put pencil to paper and start drawing up another improvement to a slice of yard and home to make them comfortable, inviting, and restful for as long as they can and may be. I will have a lot of free and productive time soon. I am off to grab coffee, feed the cat (and myself), and enjoy crispy fresh air before I pour my energy into the rest of the day. Have a great weekend!