Hello from wintry Eastern Ohio!

There is at least a foot of snow and ice on the ground, bringing life as we know it to a very slow crawl. U.S. Route 30, a main artery that passes through the middle of our historic village, is snow-covered but passable. But today, Valentine's Day, everything is closed down: schools, daycare centers, government offices. There are those who do have to work today, though: police officers, nurses, doctors...Even the mail carriers have braved the elements to carry the mail over ice and snow, frequently where home owners have not gone out to make any effort to clear the sidewalks. If you can safely do so, please clear your sidewalks to help those who help you by getting your important mail delivered to your door. They will appreciate it, I'm sure.

I returned home a week ago today from two-and-a-half weeks in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. This was my fourth annual trek. It's a wonderful getaway, but it was cold even along the Atlantic shore of Florida. I walked on the beach, sometimes barefoot, anyway, wearing my coat and gloves, the sun in my face. I can't complain about the cold there because it was much worse in the north.

If you visit Daytona Beach Shores, there are a couple of places that you should check out for good food in a VERY casual atmosphere. Boondock's and Crabby Joe's. I don't get anything for recommending them. The folks there don't know me from Adam. But I enjoy going there for good fish lunches. So, it won't do you any good to tell them that Cathy sent you, but if you do tell them, I'll be sure and design a shirt that I can wear in next January that says, "I'm Cathy." LOL.

My trip gave me fodder for writing articles for you to enjoy, with news that you can use. I hope that comes across in my February articles. Here's what will be coming to Senior Living the second half of this month: Today, because it's so cold and hypothermia is a greater risk when it's so frigid, I didn't want to wait to put up the article. You can read it today.

Feb. 19: Travel safety on the highways. There are a lot of challenges out there on the highway. It's a lot easier to board a plane and fly to a destination, but it's more costly, and you miss seeing the sights. Americans are planning to travel around the U.S., their own backyards, more this year. Read about some things to consider before you take to the road.

Feb. 26: Depression in dogs. Our #3 daughter called me in Daytona. The yellow lab was lethargic. He wouldn't get on his feet. She feared she would have to have him put down. #1 daughter told her to call me and let me talk to Frazier and see if that would help. That phone call was just what the dog needed.

I'm working on some other ideas so I'll have another newsletter early in March. (Can you believe it's almost March already?!)

The sun is playing peek-a-boo today, and there are still snowflakes in the air. Someone visited the neighbor's with a snowblower and cleared the doorway. And the first time the village passes through with the plow, that snow that he just blew into the alley will be back in front of the gate to her yard. Frankly, most people that I talk to and I agree on one thing: a lynch mob for the groundhog who predicted an early spring. OK, OK. It's only the middle of February and I need to give him some breathing room. I guess I'm expecting spring along about April 1...or Easter which will be observed April 8 this year.

In the meantime, it's time to start seeds for the garden and flower beds. #4 daughter had a wonderful time planting flowers around the yard last spring.

And I'm looking into going back to school. My husband recently admitted to me, yet again, that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I won't admit to being an old dog, but I will agree that I'm not as young as I used to be. But I can still learn new things. If everything works out I will resume my studies at Kent State University in summer session. I'll finish that bachelor degree if it's the last thing I do!

Here's one of the latest articles from the Senior Living site at BellaOnline.com.

Perspective
Life is a lot about perspective. And perspectives change as we progress through the rites of passage from idealism to reality.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48742.asp

Please visit seniorliving.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Senior Living. To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Senior Living located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=53

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Cathy Brownfield, Senior Living Editor
http://seniorliving.bellaonline.com

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