The doldrums of February in Everyday life

February is usually the worst month of winter. Perhaps the year.

December and January around here tend to be tolerable: there’s snow, but some mild days, too. You’re not that far removed from the fall, so you’ll see leaves here or there. The so-called Indian Summer days are delightful.

February, though … you’ve been mired in winter for a couple months and just want it to end. You’re done with the shoveling, even if the past couple winters have been soft on us, especially compared to 2015. You’re done with scraping the ice off the car. You’re done with bundling up. You’re done with being worried about slipping on ice and potentially breaking your ankle. It’s the bad date that won’t end.

February also can be such a flirt. Like when that girl you really like leans in and touches you on the shoulder or whispers something in your ear, but lingers afterward. Is she seeking more contact? Does she like your cologne? Are you totally misreading it?

That gets me to today. And tomorrow. Today: temps in the 50s. Tomorrow: expected to break into the 60s. The local beach landmark, the one whose reopening every late February reminds you that winter will end, is opening a couple days early amid the fantastic weather. It’s the perfect day to go for a drive, soak in the sun, listen to some podcasts along the way.

It’s not spring yet. Just more of that drives-you-crazy flirting. True springlike weather doesn’t become a constant until somewhere around April 1. Until then you’ll suffer through those occasional 28-degree mornings and wonder why, why does Mother Nature have to be a tease?

Last updated February 22, 2017