Holy Guacamole! Leap Year Brings Unusual Traditions

The love of your life is knelt down on bended knee, bearing a shimmering ring in one hand and asking for your hand in marriage with the other. 

She looks up from bended knee to her adoring man, waiting patiently for his answer to HER proposal. 

That’s right, according to the old Irish tradition; the roles of marriage proposal would be switched specifically for Leap Year on February 29th. 

I Won't Forget My Hot Air Affair!

What if I were to tell you that I once took a hot air balloon ride and then landed in a swampy marsh jumping with hundreds of field mice.

Sounds like a hot air affair from hell...doesn't it?

I've always had a fascination with hot air balloons and, coincidentally, I don't do well with heights. However, I always thought floating gracefully to the horizon would be an awesome and romantic experience. 

I love their bright colors and fancy varieties. Their enormous size are really quite captivating and especially when you see a cluster of them floating in the sky. 

bullfish66 at pixabay.com

So, naturally, when I was given the opportunity to climb on board one of these giant balloons, I didn't hesitate!

There was a local hot air balloon rally and air fest that was part of a promo that my employer was sponsoring. Lucky for me, I got a free ride ticket along with a guest ticket. 

Mister O joined as my guest and we were both pretty excited for this high in the sky adventure. 

Surviving and Getting Over the Winter Hump In Minnesota

There's nothing like cold fingers, toes and nose to let you know you're still alive! 

Fortunately, it's not the cold hand of death, but a good ole Minnesota winter. If you can feel the icy burn on your skin, the frozen stiffness in your hands and the cold slap in your face, then you've arrived alive and sublime here in Minnesota! 

If you hang around long enough and make it through January then you've made it over the first hump of winter. 

Photo Credit: hmschl at Pixabay.com

But, hold on! February, the second hump of winter, still needs to be conquered! Once we've climbed the last winter hump, we can see spring on the horizon. It's at the summit of February that we shout "we can do this!"

January and February can kiss my chilled chafed ass cheeks.  We're about to march into March. 

Typically, March is our snowiest month in Minnesota, but warmer temps drift in and fingers and toes are beginning to thaw. 

February's Picture The Possibilities

Darcy Sime Photography - https://www.flickr.com/photos/djsime

Love Acceptance Quote - http://www.asquareofchocolate.com/

This is February's installment of my monthly series called "Picture the Possibilities."  I'm teaming with talented photographer, Darcy Sime, who often brings inspiration, beauty and wonder through her amazing photos.  I hope to share the inspiration and beauty by combining her photos along with my writing creations. 

Since February is the month of "Love" and Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought this adorable picture inspired a quote of "Love Acceptance." Something we need more of these days.

Picture the Possibilities!

Put your smile on and unwrap

   A Square of Chocolate,

Laurie O

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