Thoughts for February

February, a short month that holds Groundhog Day, the day for lovers, Valentine's Day, President's Day to honor two historical Presidents and every four years, Leap Day, February 29. Now there are four varied items as prompts for a story. Maybe I'll take a shot at it.

The weather in February is usually kind of nasty, if not snow and ice, at least cold rain and ice. This has not been the case in my area, though I know others to north and west have experienced some pretty nasty weather. Perhaps our time will come before Spring really shows off her finery. The unusually warm days here have deluded some flowers and plants into popping up. Some probably will not get another chance this year, if we do get hit with some really cold and snow later this month or in March.

I've not been as diligent in writing new stuff as I might have if the weather had been worse and I'd been stuck in the house. That's probably just an excuse, but a writer will snag any excuse that's handy. Trust me. Actually I do have a good start on my third entry in the Cam Locke, PI, mystery series. I like the storyline I have in mind and think it should be just as good as the first two. Well, some readers have told me they think the novels were good and I choose to believe them!

There could be some good news to share this month. I hope so. Stay tuned. And stay warm, if you're in a more frigid clime than East Tennessee.

Lists

I make lists. I like to read lists. Evidently many people do since almost any magazine a person might pick up probably has an article with a list of something. Either a list of things to get done before Christmas or a list of items to never forget when leaving for a trip to the beach, like sunscreen.

The personal lists I make are usually practical, you might say. Things I need to get done around the house. Things I'm thankful for or lists of potential gifts for friends and family. But the lists I like to read are sometimes just interesting and not especially useful.

For instance some time ago I received an email with a list of these United States and what each is famous for. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the list. But diamond lovers and fans of the old Marilyn Monroe movie, Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend, might find the first one interesting.

Arkansas – only state with an active diamond mine.

Arizona – only state in the Continental US that does not follow Daylight Savings Time.

California – state whose economy is so large that if it were a country it would rank 7^th in the entire world. (Aside: also in about the same condition as some of those countries.)

Connecticut – home of Yale University, where the Frisbee was invented.

Georgia – State where Coca-Cola was invented

Iowa – Winnebago campers get their name from Winnebago County. And also the only state name that begins with two vowels.

Louisiana – has parishes instead of counties because they were originally Spanish church units.

Maine – so big it covers as many square miles as the other five New England States combined.

Michigan – home of Gerber, is the baby food capital of the world.

Missouri – birthplace of the ice cream cone. (personal aside: Hail to Missouri!)

Montana – a sapphire from Montana is in the Crown Jewels of England.

That's a dozen, only thirty-eight to go, despite the confusion of some officials in high places.