how now i know

Tomorrow is the first of March. March -- the month that marks the upside, the light at the end of the long tunnel I call midwest winters. Last night as I walked down a slushy North Avenue with a friend and so badly wishing it was 65 degrees and sun still shining, I realized how quickly this month has passed. I know there's still a great distance between today and consistent pleasant spring/summer weather, but I'm so pleased that we've already made it soooo far through this winter.

February has had its own treasures, however.

The roomie found a diamond in the rough over in Humboldt Park. The past few Sunday nights a few friends and I have wandered west to Rumble Arts and put a great end to our weekends with a little class called "Drink and Draw". A little nervous week one, not having drawn anything since high school, having a live model was a bit intimidating. But this

class has become a welcome part of my weekend. And I'd like to think that Simeon, our slightly evasive Bulgarian instructor enjoys seeing our lovely faces each week we show up...not having a clue what we're doing, but doing it anyway.

This class is so great for a few reasons:

1. It's something so fun to look forward to on a Sunday night...an evening that's usually a little bittersweet and could be otherwise spent feeling depressed that t

omorrow is already Monday.

2. Drawing is something I would never otherwise do. This makes me look at things in a new way, and forces me to respond in a different way, using a different skill set than I usually do.

3. This is a fantastic way to support and BE a part of the community. We've met some wonderful people who contribute in one way or another to the Rumble Arts community...and it's by donation only.

I'd bet there's something down the street from your home too. I'd bet there's a class, a book club, an activity group that's calling your name. Maybe March will be a good time for you to get out and start something new? It feels good, I'm telling you.