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:
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.
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/
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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!
Matt, this is prose poetry.
God how lyrical.
You soar.