Snapshots of February

*please note: all pictures taken by me except the title image. Ask permission before use.*

I think Spring might actually, in fact, be here now. At the beginning of February, the wildflowers showed up, but then the temperatures slumped to 14 degrees. That was painful. But now we're back on track. The wildflowers are trying Spring out again, and Spring is working. I'm still biting the bit to get started with planting my garden (I know, I know. I said that in Snapshots of January, but really, this month it's going to happen, and you'll then get bombarded with pictures of my garden).  I made the mistake of going into the gardening enter at Walmart. Oops. I managed to escape having only bought seed starting soil, those biodegradable pots, and four packets of seeds. Banana peppers, Kaleidoscope Sweet Pepper mix, Mammoth Basil, and all-season Cabbage (which I'm super excited about. Supposedly it's drought and heat tolerant, and since I actually grew a 9 pound cabbage head last year, I am optimistic...so...fingers crossed). I could go on and on about my excitement for dirt and green things, but I'll stop before your eyes go crossed. 

I ended up taking three more weeks of dancing lessons. We were just getting the hang of the Waltz, and then we changed to Rumba which I had mixed feelings about. Latin dances include something called 'Cuban motion', and I'm not a fan of that. Heh. But I went with it, and we were getting Rumba, too, since it's basis isn't too different than Waltz. Someone said we were looking good so that's an encouraging sign. Even when you imagine you're doing alright, you kinda dread the idea of looking at yourself through someone else's eyes. Sadly, we didn't finish the lessons because my partner moved to the other side of the state.

I'm starting to gain ground with my writing again, but it's been a fight. I keep trying to find a better time because lately, by the end of the day, I'm just exhausted. Silly life, always getting all dramatic on me. But I've finally finished the 2nd draft editing on a Post-Apocalyptic entitled 'Bridge'.  I feel like this is the farthest I've gotten on a book, even though I excavated a book for (at least) four years once (an experience I really don't want to talk about). I'll be reading through this book one more time before I send it to my brother for a read-through. I'm cautiously excited? Anyone else want to sacrifice themselves as an alpha reader? 

During February I read one book. Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand, and I actually enjoyed it. Last Summer I  had noticed it on a bookshelf and admired the cover (and the title, honestly), but since I don't really pick up books on random, I bypassed it. Much later a fellow blogger did a mini-review on it, and it was enough of a push to give the book a try, and I'm so glad I did! It makes me happy to find more fiction books that I enjoy (now that I'm old and view everything with such cynicism. Ahem). I wish I had that book to read when I was younger.

 Now I'm stuck on a non-fiction recommendation. Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend. Do you ever get really self-conscious or suspicious when people give you a recommendation of a non-fiction, 'life improvement' kind-of book? Anywho, there's a lot of good and interesting parts (especially about the importance of raising children with boundaries) in these pages, but I'm also having some troubles with certain points they're making. Or scripture they use to reinforce their points. I guess it's been awhile since I've actually disagreed with a Christian book. Or maybe I just feel like it's only caused me more anxiety by pulling me in yet another direction by one more opinion? Any of you read it? If so, what did you think?

 I watched Black Panther in the theaters the weekend it came out. I went with a guy who's originally from Kenya which was neat because afterwards he told me where different aspects of the Wakanda culture had come from. It was definitely a cool/new feel for a Marvel movie, and that was good. Have you watched it? What did you think? I found the music to be interesting. And the transition between the styles of music.

I kinda need to watch more movies to refill my 'love of stories' bar (since I'm stuck in non-fiction currently), but I keep falling asleep instead. I've reached the age where nothing good or profitable can happen after 9 o'clock in the evening.

I also helped a friend move to Seattle. It was a spur of the moment thing for me, but even if it involved about six hours of riding in a car (which I normally avoid at all costs), it was fun. And I got some awesome pictures, and I was able to see the mountains in Winter which is something I don't get to do ever. Isn't it so beautiful??

The Cascades truly leave me awestruck. God's glory is written all over them.  I sometimes try to imagine the acres and acres of evergreen trees all covered in snow. And how complete the silence would be out under them. We see such a small portion of this world, and even what we see leaves us speechless. Can you fathom the hidden beauties?

Highlight of the month? Yeah, probably this. There's nothing quite like good conversation, good music (thanks to me :P), and beautiful scenery.

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What was your February like? What was your highlight? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? Have you seen Black Panther yet? Tell me about anything and everything in the comments!