I always call February the "always winter never Christmas" month. Jadis got to me so much during last year's 18-inch snow storm that I spent the whole month watching Westerns showcasing sunbaked Monument Valley panoramas. The documentary you highlight reminds me of a reality show called ALONE, where ten contestants have to survive on the tundra, alone with nothing but a camera. Whoever lasts the longest wins. There is, of course, the decadent angle - we have to go looking for trouble - but it was also a fascinating glimpse into the mindset and skills required to survive such conditions.
Excellent post, Matt. However, I must take umbrage with your dissing the month in which I was born (proof that some good things do occur in February). And while I've had my share of celebrating Valentine's Day as "single-awareness day," I still enjoy the yearly deluge of hearts and flowers--perhaps as a result of all those Valentine-themed birthday parties as a kid. Also, February is not strangely spelled; it is just mispronounced 99.99 percent of the time.
Regarding the video and the Ukraine situation, I love that you pointed out some people must seek out hardship in order to "feel" alive, while others must flee hardships to "stay" alive. A beautiful yet cruel irony.
On the theme "Someone beat me to it but I have to link to it anyway because: beauty and hope," here's Rod Dreher's post on Ukrainian iconographer Ivanka Demchuk:
I just ordered the Ark of Noah. Only the second icon I've ever bought and who knows when I'll get it, since the post offices are closed. But I've wanted an icon of it for a long time and it feels good to send a little cash to a personal name and face there.
And there's just something about the brevity of February that just seems particularly cruel too. It's like Mother Nature is saying, "Sure, Winter's almost done, but just let me piss in your drink a little while longer."
But I'm going to have to watch that documentary Matt. Thanks. And for a little (still possibly relevant) aside, I got a used copy of The Windward Shore for Christmas, after reading your post about it. I devoured it in little time, and as a Great Lakes resident (about twenty minutes south of Lake Ontario), it really allowed me to rediscover the beauty of this season in this area of the country. I cannot recommend the book enough. It's a riveting read, and beautifully written.
Sure, I choose to live in this frozen hellscape (for now), but it's nice to find beauty in the harsh weather. Well, sometimes.
Mar 1, 2022·edited Mar 1, 2022Liked by Matt Labash
Three of the five dogs I've owned in my adult life have died. Two of them in February. I never even thought about it until you mentioned it. I cannot wait to watch that show, thanks for sharing. My daughter and her boyfriend surfed all last winter in Oregon, some days it was in the 40's. I will share with her as well, she will love it. She moved to Duluth and has already checked out the surf shop there. At least I won't have to worry about her being shark bait in Lake Superior.
February is the worst. Thanks to Twitter (can't say that very often!), I found this gem earlier this month and it's pretty accurate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38PB3sBZxf4
Loved the part about feeling alive and staying alive - I definitely needed that reminder. I even wrote it down so I won't forget it. Praying for all of those in Ukraine.
Wonderful article! Thank you! I couldn't agree with you more about February. Growing up on the East coast, and in the midwest, I suffered from SAD in the winter - Seasonal Affective Disorder. February was the worst!
I always call February the "always winter never Christmas" month. Jadis got to me so much during last year's 18-inch snow storm that I spent the whole month watching Westerns showcasing sunbaked Monument Valley panoramas. The documentary you highlight reminds me of a reality show called ALONE, where ten contestants have to survive on the tundra, alone with nothing but a camera. Whoever lasts the longest wins. There is, of course, the decadent angle - we have to go looking for trouble - but it was also a fascinating glimpse into the mindset and skills required to survive such conditions.
Excellent post, Matt. However, I must take umbrage with your dissing the month in which I was born (proof that some good things do occur in February). And while I've had my share of celebrating Valentine's Day as "single-awareness day," I still enjoy the yearly deluge of hearts and flowers--perhaps as a result of all those Valentine-themed birthday parties as a kid. Also, February is not strangely spelled; it is just mispronounced 99.99 percent of the time.
Regarding the video and the Ukraine situation, I love that you pointed out some people must seek out hardship in order to "feel" alive, while others must flee hardships to "stay" alive. A beautiful yet cruel irony.
And now I'm embarrassed. I just realized I've been mispronouncing February all this time.
On the theme "Someone beat me to it but I have to link to it anyway because: beauty and hope," here's Rod Dreher's post on Ukrainian iconographer Ivanka Demchuk:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/sacred-beauty-from-ukraine-ivanka-demchuk-icons/
Beautiful stuff!
how lovely, especially her vision of The Annunciation
thank you for sharing
I just ordered the Ark of Noah. Only the second icon I've ever bought and who knows when I'll get it, since the post offices are closed. But I've wanted an icon of it for a long time and it feels good to send a little cash to a personal name and face there.
You may already know of Andrei Rublev, the great medieval Russian painter of Christian icons. The movie "Andrei Rublev" is a masterpiece.
you have made your connection and support so real and so personal
I find that very moving
my connection came unexpected
none of my doing
it happened on Monday, before the invasion
I wrote a post for my websites and to go with it
--out of the thousands of free photos on Unsplash--
I chose one that particularly touched me
a tender photograph
of the faces of a little boy and girl
after I had downloaded it
I saw the location of the photographer: Kyiv
And there's just something about the brevity of February that just seems particularly cruel too. It's like Mother Nature is saying, "Sure, Winter's almost done, but just let me piss in your drink a little while longer."
But I'm going to have to watch that documentary Matt. Thanks. And for a little (still possibly relevant) aside, I got a used copy of The Windward Shore for Christmas, after reading your post about it. I devoured it in little time, and as a Great Lakes resident (about twenty minutes south of Lake Ontario), it really allowed me to rediscover the beauty of this season in this area of the country. I cannot recommend the book enough. It's a riveting read, and beautifully written.
Sure, I choose to live in this frozen hellscape (for now), but it's nice to find beauty in the harsh weather. Well, sometimes.
So glad you picked up Windward Shore, Steve. It's the gift that keeps giving.
For shame Matt. How could you forget about something as important as Ground Hog Day. This is the very best of February! Watch this podcast:
https://youtu.be/dX6PZBS1Q9Q
Will be honest - I forgot all about Groundhog Dog. Probably because I got swept up in the euphoria of World Nutella Day: https://nationaltoday.com/world-nutella-day/
Be glad in the Knowledge that World Brassiere Day is NOT in February. I’ll admit I likes me some hazelnuts, uh huh.
I hate February too. I’ll try the movie, the music, and donate.
Three of the five dogs I've owned in my adult life have died. Two of them in February. I never even thought about it until you mentioned it. I cannot wait to watch that show, thanks for sharing. My daughter and her boyfriend surfed all last winter in Oregon, some days it was in the 40's. I will share with her as well, she will love it. She moved to Duluth and has already checked out the surf shop there. At least I won't have to worry about her being shark bait in Lake Superior.
Matt have you even tried an Arby's Gyro? Not half bad IMO. Thank you for the pick me up. As always brilliant writing
Have I ever tried it? Dude, I've lived it. I would not mock the Arby's Gyro. It's not just a hollow advertising slogan - they've got the meats.
Thank you for identifying what Putin has always (or at least the last decade) reminded me of. He does look like a possum! Unfortunately he is rabid.
Great piece but those guys are nutz. Just saying.
Bruce Hornsby? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PxURXuzRUX4
I weep to hear
our bobby and johnny
cherishing the girl
they will always love
knowing that today the men of Ukraine
fight and die
for their girl from the north country
who will always cherish them
honor
honor to them always
Great version, I agree. But I don't count it as a true cover since Dylan himself still sings on it.
See you for the next year! You remind me of several writers, Donald C. Jackson for one, Deeper Currents.
Thanks for the great entertainment with your flow of measurable pose, rare for modern journalism.
Many thanks, Johnnie.
Dammed Russians in February ⚖️
February is the worst. Thanks to Twitter (can't say that very often!), I found this gem earlier this month and it's pretty accurate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38PB3sBZxf4
Loved the part about feeling alive and staying alive - I definitely needed that reminder. I even wrote it down so I won't forget it. Praying for all of those in Ukraine.
That video's fantastic. Thanks, Kristin.
Wonderful article! Thank you! I couldn't agree with you more about February. Growing up on the East coast, and in the midwest, I suffered from SAD in the winter - Seasonal Affective Disorder. February was the worst!
It's January for me here in WI. It's 3 days (most years) longer than February and the days are much shorter.
Matt, this is prose poetry.
God how lyrical.
You soar.
Many thanks, Deborah.