Finding the Beauty in February

Here we are approaching the end of February and I have to say this has been a very curious month.  I seem to cycle from celebratory mood to winter weariness in the blink of an eye; and this month has both gone by in a flash and seemed endless.  But I kind of like the challenge February brings – how to carve out delight in the frozen tunda of a month marked with pollution-dusted snow, slippery sidewalks, and sniffly noses.  And I’m nothing if not determined.

Today is Friday and as such is under the auspices of Venus – that bringer and delighter in beauty.  When I thought of Venus today I remembered she was married to Vulcan, and that seems like a lovely little tribute to Leonard Nimoy on this day of his crossing – the man who wore Spock’s Vulcan ears with such style,

A Friday in February practically demands a treat or two, and I heeded the call.

First, a bunch of tulips.  Does anything promise Spring more than tulips?  These are in pretty tight bud so I’m hoping for many days of enjoyment.

I’ve been playing in Michelle Gd’s 28 Moments class where we’ve been using photography and writing to reflect on the moments in our lives.  We’ve been looking at light and rhythm and this has been such a wonderful way to navigate through February.  It’s keeping me hopeful.  And to ride on the momentum of this exploration, I was delighted to find another treat to gift myself.

How fun is this? A pretty cloth envelope filled with scented bath salts with a cut glass crystal to hang.  Seriously, who doesn’t need more rainbows in their life – and isn’t February the perfect time to invoke some?  I have to say I’m delighted with some soothing for the body and some sparkle for the soul.  I know Venus would approve.

Besides light and sparkle I’ve been thinking lots about color these past few days as well.  And how interesting the infamous gold-white/blue-black dress conversation has gone viral.  Here’s a bit of an explanation of what’s going on from a science slant.

But all the conversations sparked by this phenomenon have made me think more deeply about how none of us ever see the same things, and we ought be a bit more aware of that.  The dress is just a wonderful example that opens up this conversation, but it has implications for everything.  All the more reason to celebrate our own unique perceptions as well as everyone else’s.

All the color considerations also inspired me to play around with the Waterlogue photo app.  I like seeing myself as many-hued.

I think Venus would approve of all these things.  Seeing and celebrating beauty in all its colors and shapes, scents and textures.

Now tell me about you.  What have you done to honor Venus today?  Have you filled your February with color?  Paying attention to the changing light?  Bought yourself any treats lately?  Do tell – you know I love to hear.