The Last Day of January

Michigander - Recently a friend sent me one of those "you might be from Michigan if..." emails. They never get old. Though I have lived here for the last 27 years, I am not from Michigan so these are always funny because they are so true of you! "You might be from Michigan if you drink pop and cook with soda". "Oh, a sodieeeeeee!"

Dead or Alive - I don't get Groundhog Day. In Michigan, Spring begins when the garden is planted. Correct that, when it is planted for the last time. I understand why people want to believe in Ground Hog Day. That is why, in Michigan, we celebrate the Last Day of January. Regardless of how long winter lasts...no one can add another day to January! PARTY!

Blizzard Warning - Of course there is absolutely no disillusionment that spring is anywhere near. When you live here, it is the small victories. No one is discouraged that they are calling for 12-24 inches of snow for Feb. 1&2. We know they only get it right about 10% of the time anyway. So what? It's going to be cold, the ground is frozen, we already have snow on the ground, everyone has their winter clothes in use, our driving has become suited to the conditions. Who cares if we have another foot or two? It's February!!!! Time to celebrate!

Lions vs Lambs - So don't be mistaken. The only thing we are celebrating today is the end of January. (Besides there is never any mention of lions in Michigan in January!) That's enough for us. Tomorrow we might allow ourselves to think of lions and lambs (especially if the said blizzard arrives)...but we are not naive. Easter is late this year, and all of us know that it won't stop snowing until after Easter. At best, winter is half over. So we find the tension is best broken by small victories. You might be from Michigan if you celebrate the last day of January.