Sunny Naples, FL

Having had lots of time to think as I drove the 1700 miles from Hartford, NY to Naples via Lutz, FL where I picked up a borrowed motor coach to use as our base home here at Lake San Marino for two weeks, I want to write about expectations. Recently, I have had discussion with others on expectations concerning relationships. I have an old friend who is a wise man indeed. He said to me numerous times, "Expectations are resentments waiting to happen". How right on he is but still there are certain expectations that I think hold relationships together. Trustworthyness, honor, respect, faith are some that come to mind. Love is too fickle to be a reliable expectation. Physical attributes and actions are certainly not important over the long haul.

Under a blanket of new snow

WHAT THE GROUNDHOG SEES by Donna Henes

Each year on February 2, the attention of the nation
is directed to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where
Ground Hog's Day is big business. Weather forecasters
and news reporters converge to stake out the burrows
of these furry hibernating creatures. Like gazing into
Bridgid's holy well, or the tunnel leading to the oracle
crypt, or Cere's explorations of the cave, in order to
ascertain the true prognosis of the coming of spring.
Though decidedly silly, Ground Hog's Day is a direct
and thriving descendant of age-old mid winter divinatory
practices. Will Phil, the ground hog, see his shadow?
Will spring come on time this year? Tune in tonight for
the eyewitness report.

OK. Now pay attention. This is how it works: if the ground
hog sees her shadow, it means that there are still six
more weeks of winter. If she doesn't see her shadow, it
means that spring is only six weeks away. So what is the
difference? There are always six more weeks of winter.
Spring is always six weeks away. That is why we mark the
day in the first place. To remind us that winter is half over.
To access our situation. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac,
by Ground Hog's Day you should still have half of your food
store and half of your fuel if you are going to make it through
the remainder of winter. And for us, I guess that means we
have to have half of our inner resources, patience and humor
intact to make it the rest of the way through the dark days of
winter.

Enjoy the rest of the dark period. Take advantage of the
slowness and introspection that it offers us.