Really? Another post about winter? I thought this series was scheduled to run every Saturday–it is now Sunday! What’s up?
68 degrees and sunny on Saturday is what was up. I spent time reclining in the sun, enjoying my yard and all the little things popping their heads up out of the ground–jonquils, hyacinth, tulips. The birds were joyfully singing and flying and partaking in the seeds I have set out for them. So lovely, such promise.
Today it is 28 degrees and very windy with a few light flurries of snow. Yesterday felt like a new season, today presents the reality of this bouncy season that we know as spring. I sit here in my office, the wind outside blows hard and loud. The birds are burrowed back into their nests. Even the silly squirrels have taken cover. I think I will light the fireplace and find activities to do indoors today. Maybe another batch of veggie soup will find its way to my stove top. My woolie socks and UGG slippers sure feel yummy on my feet.
Such is life in the Midwestern region of the United States. Survival is not sufficient, thriving healthfully is the goal. I think it is what gives us our unique set of values, which are respected around the country and used to be around the globe but I am not so sure about that anymore.
The fact is that yesterday I went to my favorite garden shop and bought 2 flats of pansies and 1 flat of alyssum, those marvelous tiny white flowers that smell like the sweetness of honey and the hope of warm sunshine. 
I’m so glad I was too tuckered out to plant them yesterday and had the forethought to bring them inside from one night of protected slumber. Tomorrow will bring more surprises with whatever the weather will be. It is a known fact that, at some point, spring will arrive, really take hold, and be just gorgeous.
What to do for the last weekend of officially the winter season?
One of my favorite local, free magazines, Town & Style Home, have it down for us. 
Primp: sprinkle your home with brightly colored pillows, even pillow cases–bright colors will warm your heart!
Polish: do some of that end of season cleaning–changing filters, cleaning vents, putting things away, clean your windows!
Plant: weed your lawn and gardens early, make a plan to be ahead of it, clean out the beds, get some good mulch!
Most of all, love your body, love your mind, love your spirit, and take your self to a special place in your heart where you genuinely appreciate who you are and what you are. Celebrate that you have participated in this free 8 week experience of how to be happy and healthy this winter in honor of yet another important season of your life. Then get ready — to spring forward.
