​Weathering the Storm with the WP#204

Can you believe it that January is over already? Crazy no, as it seems that time is flying faster and faster for me, at least. The first month of 2025 is gone and we are in the runt month of the year. Okay, maybe that is not fair to call February, the runt month of the year, but hold on, it is the smallest of the litter of 12, and even in a leap year like year, it still only had 29 days, a year ago, and that is still less than the other 11 months, so for me, it is the runt. By the way, do you know that February, during Roman times was the last month of the calendar year, and not the second month of the year, so having already fixed the other months, to either 30 or 31 days, they only had so many days to spare, so February was shorted a couple of days, in the case of 28 or 29, depending on the year. And imagine, you were born in this month, and lucky or unlucky to be born on Leap Day, you only celebrate your birthday every 4 years. Just kidding you get to choose, lucky you in those non-leap years, which is your birthday, so you have choices. ​

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It is interesting that we categorize things to give clarity to our existence and that is with days of the week. I usually write this blog on Humpday (Wednesday), as it the middle and that much closer to the weekend, as we have reached Humpday. Monday is the start of the workweek traditionally, and Friday, well, here comes the weekend. Thursday gets more excitement as it closer to the weekend and the days of the weekend, well, that is what they are, the weekend. I forgot one, right, yes, I know, Tuesday, which, well, really is the runt of the week, as its significance, and its positioning in the week, puts it on an island of well, not close enough to the weekend, and well, where does it really fit in. On the radio station I listen to back on iHeart radio, KQRS, they have something called unfun facts on Tuesday, which puts Tuesday, out there, not for its great significance, but just the opposite, and so, the day gets it pub, but not necessarily for the right reasons, and yes, I sometimes write my blogs, the Tuesday night before. In the end, days of the week really don’t hold too much significance, given I work in some capacity every day, be it teaching or my travel business. ​

In the end, I mentioned about Tuesday as it does not get its due, as perhaps, February does not, but in fact, for the shortest month of the year, even in a leap year, lots is packed into the month, but before I share those thoughts, here are some other facts about February perhaps you did not know starting with the fact that the Romans named this month, not after a god or goddess as with other months, but called Februa because of a Roman purification festival called Februa, so February is about purification. Funny, given that it is also the month of Carnaval, Valentine’s Day, which by the way was named after St. Valentine, and also another Roman connection. In America, February is Black History Month and is also the birthday’s of two of our greatest presidents, Washington, the father of our country and Lincoln, who held the union together, as much as he could, even with the Civil War, as was his pledge to do, so we have a holiday called President’s Day, which supposedly celebrates all presidents, but really, for me, it is for those two, as some presidents, really don’t deserve as much recognition. No this is not a political statement. Living outside the country continues to give me a truly new perspective on lots of things, and an official from the mayor’s office stopped by Friday, to complete the paperwork that makes me an official resident of the city of Rome, which opens up some of the roadblocks, but not all yet. I am still a prisoner in this country, so my travels abroad, for now, are still on hold, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. ​

Other events of February, especially in America is the unofficial holiday, coming up this Sunday, and also for many around the world, the Super Bowl, even if you do not have skin in the game. Rosa, while she does not understand the game likes the colors of the Eagles and Philadelphia, of all the cities she has visited in America is her favorite, so I have to root for the Chiefs, not that I am a fan of the team, but I would like to see history of a sort and a threepeat, as I was not many years ago, a fan of the Patriots when they had their unbeaten streak halted in the Super Bowl against the Giants, so the Dolphins of old (Rosa’s former favorite team, because she loves dolphins), 1972, could pop the champagne bottles to still being the only undefeated team in the Super Bowl era from beginning to end, even in a shorter season. And, for the record, we are going to the Hard Rock Café here in Rome for a Super Bowl party and with the time difference, the party starts at 11:00 pm and goes until 3:00 am, which means that my Monday, I will be slogging through, but it will be an experience. ​

Other interesting things about this runt of a month, is that there is no Biblical meaning to February as Israel did not use the Roman Calendar, Juno Februtis was the Goddess of Purification, and the month was chosen to have 28 days by the Romans to honor their dead. Did you know that February had its own animal, and it is the chickadee, and it has not one, but two flowers, the violet, and the iris, so, you guessed it, its color is purple. Remember, it is the month of Valentine’s Day, just around the corner now, but its flower is not the rose, surprised? It even has its own lucky color, pearl white or silver and its birthstone is the amethyst, so again, purple makes sense. In Welsh, February is called "y mis bach" which translates to "little month" due to its short length. While February is a winter month in the Northern Hemisphere, it's considered a summer month in the Southern Hemisphere, so enjoy the time in the warmth south of the equator. The Saxon term for February, "Sol-monath," means "cake month" as they offered cakes to gods during this time. And Valentine’s Day is not just a western world holiday. Japan also celebrates Valentine's Day in February, although with some unique customs. ​

Translates to "I'm with you"

I am sure there a lot more shareable moments of this runt of a month, but for me, the most important and the most personal event of this month, wraps totally and completely around an event that happened almost 5 years ago, on a warm sunny February day at the Galleria Borghese, when I met a certain special lady, who was the director of a magnificent performance that continues to this day. The month of February is the month of love, thank you St. Valentine, even though you were beheaded on February 14th in the 3rd century AD and martyred, having been killed for your beliefs. St. Valentine secretly arranged marriages, which angered the emperor. First Claudius had St. Valentine imprisoned, then sentenced to death. While in prison, St. Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter. On the day of his execution, St. Valentine sent her a love letter signed "from your Valentine". St. Valentine was beheaded on the Via Flaminia in Rome. I realize that Valentine’s Day is still a week away, but why not give this month its due, as it is also my anniversary month, the most important event for this runt of a month, and black sheep of the family, two weeks from today. ​

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As always, your support is truly appreciated and thank you for reading my posts now and into the future. As I mentioned, in the beginning, I did these to help get us through the uncertainties of the pandemic and to provide a hope that we would get through that craziness, and we did. There are always going to be bumps in the road and this year is no different, no matter where you are in life, where you live and what you believe. We are all human and we all breathe the same air, drink the same water and in the end, want the same things including, being happy, healthy, and safe, in our lives, so enjoy each and every day, as you never know when the clock will run out, appreciating what you have and appreciate our similarities and differences. February does, as the runt of the year, and packing a punch to compete.