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"Every gardener knows under the cloak of winter lies a miracle - a seed, waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream." Barbara Winkler, American author and editor. After January's bad start from a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year, you might think the best thing about 2021 will simply be that it isn't 2020. Certainly, an end to health and financial challenges, the pain, incivility, and grief that have marked the past 12 months will be most welcome… although it may take several months into the New Year to get us there. But it seems just the absence of awful is not enough to make 2021 a good year; we need more than just a respite from the heavy weight put upon us by the pandemic, but the promise of actual joy. I believe that fortunately there are plenty of things to look forward to this year, and not just the return of well, everything… at some point travel, dining out, going to the movies, shopping, and in-person get togethers with the people we love and care about will hopefully all make a comeback. We are all eagerly anticipating that, but 2021 should have a lot more going for it than just the promise of a return to normalcy. Being a gardener, I think the focus should be planning that new garden and celebrating the month of February; after all February does bring us Valentine's day, and without Valentine's Day February would be January. All that said, I think it's time to get serious about gardening in February! Our garden can be gorgeous with very little work, because, guess what? Many cool season annuals can still be planted this month for a great color display throughout the spring. Best choices for a sunny area include pansies, violas, Iceland poppies, English daisy, stock, linaria, flowering cabbage (seen all around Sun Lakes), flowering kale, schizanthus, and the 'Bloomingdale' series of ranunculus. In your shady spots plant English fairy and Chinese primrose, bedding cyclamen, and cineraria. And don't forget, Valentine's Day is the poet's holiday, so get out in that garden and get your creative juices flowing. Until we meet again in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom, stay healthy, be safe, and Happy Gardening. For membership, contact Sherry Case at (951) 533-3584 or Linda Powersat (951) 769- 3101. For fruit harvesting, contact Judy Garthwaite at (951) 797-3130. For general information, contact President, Pam Mikkelsen at (951) 797-3080. Garden Club 38 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2021 | Our 80s Plus Club is for residents 80 years old or "better" as well as their spouses, whatever their ages are. Fingers crossed it's not too terribly long before we can resume our monthly gatherings where we socialize with a special catered meal and first-rate entertainment. Our gatherings will be on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm and we will advise the specific date prior to resuming our monthly events. I do hope you are all well and safe and I hope to see you all soon. For more information about our club, please feel free to contact either myself, Diane Aarhus, at (951) 797-3676 or Donna Harrington at (909) 561-5066. 80s Plus Club Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.