{"id":66386,"date":"2024-01-30T20:16:45","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T01:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelaurelofasheville.com\/updatestage\/?p=66386"},"modified":"2024-01-30T20:16:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T01:16:45","slug":"from-the-editor-february-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelaurelofasheville.com\/updatestage\/lifestyle\/from-the-editor-february-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Editor: February 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Gina Malone, Editor<\/p><\/div>\n

February is always for the birds\u2014literally. It\u2019s National Bird-Feeding Month when our backyard feeders invite bright flashes of wings and bursts of song to brighten winter days. We\u2019re giving our beautiful avian friends and those who advocate for them a few mentions in this issue. Emma\u2019s Conservation piece explores the annual Great Backyard Bird Count and how counts by citizen scientists all over the world help ornithologists see how bird species are faring. I\u2019ve participated for the last three years. There\u2019s nothing like bundling up for the cold, gathering pen and paper, and waiting for our backyard regulars\u2014and the occasional surprise visitor. It has been a wonderful learning experience\u2014researching the birds I spot and learning their distinguishing characteristics. If, like me, you\u2019re still a learner, Casey First\u2019s monthly column, A Bird\u2019s Note, with Stephanie Sipp\u2019s lovely illustrations, is a great place to go for information. Birding can be a solitary pleasure or one shared with others. The Feminist Bird Club of Asheville is one of many birding groups in WNC, and one that celebrates inclusiveness. Finally, we\u2019re so fortunate to have people like LaShanda Brown to show us all\u2014especially our young nature lovers\u2014how exhilarating and mindful birding and bonding with nature can be.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s always plenty going on in our part of the world, even in winter. Why not while away a cold afternoon visiting some warm studios during Second Saturday, for instance, or visiting the Omni Grove Park Inn for the National Arts & Crafts Conference? The Asheville Celtic Fest boasts an exciting roster of indoor and outdoor events.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to take a leap! Think of it: the last time we had Leap Day was just before the COVID closures. We\u2019ve come a long way since then, so, whether you see a concert or visit an exhibition or just take some time to relax and breathe, spend your extra 24 hours in a way that brings you joy. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: \u201cThis time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gina Malone can be reached at gina@thelaurelofasheville.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

February is always for the birds\u2014literally. It\u2019s National Bird-Feeding Month when our backyard feeders invite bright flashes of wings and bursts of song to brighten winter days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":41796,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"yoast_head":"\nFrom the Editor: February 2024 - The Laurel of Asheville<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"February is always for the birds\u2014literally. 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