There are so many wonderful things about April—the weather, Easter, The Heritage, festivals, flowers and garden tours, but one of the best things is it’s Pink Magazine's birthday! Pink turned 18-years-old on April 1, and I am somewhat awe struck.

When I started Pink in a small room in my home, I never looked ahead five, ten or 18 years. I merely took it one day at a time, and most of those days wore me out. My children were young—kindergarten and fourth grade. I was in full wife and mom mode and had always had a career in sales or marketing. The new job of creating Pink was hard, especially since I started with limited resources: A used Mac and $2,800.

The Lowcountry is an outdoor paradise,
and it’s never more alive than spring.
Living here for many years, I have seen some amazing things
when it comes to animals in nature.

I witnessed dolphins in action not only strand feeding, but I actually saw them setting up their plan and interacting with each other. This is a learned practice indigenous to the Lowcountry salt marshes, and it’s something I will always be in awe of. Once, I walked close to five miles to where Fish Haul Creek splits the beach. My long walk bore a reward—a pair of bald eagles wading in the sea foam on the shore. I stood in amazement at their stature and power.

“‘Is the spring coming?’ he said. ‘What is it like…’
‘It is the sun shining on the rain
and the rain falling on the sunshine…’”
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden -

About this time of year, animals that are known to hibernate begin to emerge from their long winter naps. There is no given day for this occurence; it is based on rising temperatures and longer sunlight. It’s no coincidence that these two factors also arouse humans to emerge from the stale dimness of the indoors to meander out to sit on park benches, take long walks and look at the sky to gather the sun’s warmth.

Ladies, I love you, but we have a problem—how nasty women become
in public restrooms. As the final story in this month’s #Nature’sCalling issue,
this Hissy Fit is going to get down and dirty about when nature really calls.

I don’t get it at all. I was recently at a Ducks Unlimited Banquet and the ladies bathroom had signs posted all over it: Please flush after use. Who needs this notice? Do you need a reminder to flush the toilet after you have done your business, because I don’t. I’ve known—and followed—this rule since the day I was potty trained. In fact, it’s a rule I have no desire to break. I may have wanted to smoke in the bathroom at school in the 10th grade, but I’ve never not wanted to flush the toilet. Nor have I ever thought it was just too monumental a task. Gee, I would flush the toilet if I just weren’t so tired. Whatever!

“Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

It’s only February, and though I have made some progress, I need a do-over. The year is already getting away from me, even though 2022 is the year I promised myself I would design my days, weeks, months, and thus my life, with all my heart. I need joy, discipline and freedom to meld together as one super-emotion and reign on my days.

So that hasn’t happened yet, for me. How are you doing?

If you are in the same boat, already seeking a do-over, I understand. I’ve decided to not dwell on what I haven’t accomplished and grant myself permission to simply start fresh, or at least tighten up, in February. You should give yourself permission for the same. Let’s let January be our mulligan and tee off 2022 again. After all, we get to set the rules for our own lives; so be gentle and allow yourself to succeed.