February 1st marks the launch of an annual tradition that Kathleen and I started some six or seven years ago. We call it “Austerity Month,” and this year promises to be a special one.
This tradition began one year when, like many people, we struggled to recover from another holiday season. By mid-January each year, we felt as if we had spent several weeks eating too much, drinking too much, and spending too much money. In order to regain control of our waistlines, our livers, and our pocketbooks, we decided that we would cut back on everything for an entire month. It is no coincidence that Austerity Month each year is declared for February, which is, of course, the shortest month on the calendar. We wanted to cut back, but we weren’t going to be crazy about it.
The rules were simple. 1) No drinking. That one was pretty straightforward. It felt strange not having a couple of beers while watching the Super Bowl or Gator basketball games or having wine with dinner, especially at restaurants, but we soldiered through. This rule was occasionally broken, as when our friend, Joy, had a destination wedding in Aruba in early February. Then, last year, during our first winter in the frozen North, we allowed ourselves a glass of wine with our wonderful happy-hour group on Wednesday afternoons. This year, there will be no restaurants, happy hours, or destination weddings, so we should be okay there.
2) Lose a few pounds with healthy eating. This, too, is fairly easy to follow. We select meals based on the point system of Weight Watchers, cut out snacks, and avoid sugar and starches. It’s not too bad, and, when combined with a lack of high-calorie alcoholic drinks, we can usually drop a few pounds during the 28 or 29 days of the month.
3) Cut way back on spending. After throwing money around like sailors on liberty for two months, we refrain from all extra purchases during the month. As long as we plan ahead a little, we’re usually pretty good about this as well.
After all of this abstemious living, we are ready for March to arrive, and we welcome the new month with dinner out and a nice bottle of wine. March was the month when I had spring break from teaching, March Madness in basketball, and the start of the baseball season. We usually threw in a trip to Vegas for good measure. We were able to tackle those challenges feeling virtuous and rested after our ascetic month.
This year, the arrival of March will be especially welcome. You see, yesterday, we received our first shot of the Covid vaccine. We got ours at a local clinic in Baldwin, Wisconsin, and the entire process was remarkably easy and well-organized. We are scheduled for the second shot on February 26th. We have to wait another week for that one to kick in, but by that first week of March, we will be good to go.
A short time ago—okay, it was 48 years ago—in January 1973, I was in my freshman year at Knox College in Illinois. As with most colleges, the school brought in well-known speakers, and this particular night, they had Dick Gregory speak. At that time, he was a well-known stand-up comedian (a major influence on Richard Pryor), author, and civil rights and anti-war activist. I had read his semi-autobiographical book and related to him because he had been a middle-distance runner at Southern Illinois University in the 1950s. After studying the life of Gandhi, he began to use hunger strikes as a political tool. That night in 1973, he explained that he was on a hunger strike until the Vietnam War ended. From the podium, he said, “So if tonight we get word that the peace talks have resulted in an end to the war, I wouldn’t recommend standing between me and the nearest hamburger.”
Similarly, on March 3rd or so, when Austerity Month has ended, and we are officially cleared to re-enter public life, I wouldn’t recommend standing between us and the Nutty Squirrel.
(Footnote: I saw Gregory on January 22, 1973. The Vietnam War didn’t end that night, but a few days later, Jan. 28, a cease-fire was signed that effectively ended the US role in the senseless conflict. What did happen that night, while Gregory was on stage, was he received a note that told him LBJ had just died. It was fascinating to see him explain the note and stand there silently for several minutes, struggling with his emotions. He said that he regarded Johnson with great ambivalence. After all, as President, he had done more for Blacks than any politician since Lincoln. On the other hand, he started the War in Vietnam by lying to the American people about an attack on US ships in the Tonkin Gulf, near North Vietnam. We now know that attack never took place. Gregory said, “I have never loved a man so much or hated one so much as I did LBJ.” It was a poignant moment for me, sitting in the audience, and I’ve never forgotten that night.)
How very stoic of you! This sounds like a great idea and while I don’t need to quit drinking and eating fatty foods (I’m still trying to get up to 140…), a month of no-frills spending sounds pretty smart. Maybe I’ll give up frivolous spending and swearing? The Bills are done playing so I should be able to pull off the latter no problem.
Giving up swearing is something I used to do as a kid for Lent. It obviously didn’t take on a long-term basis, but you’d better be careful or people will think you’re Catholic.
Love these posts. So glad to here you got the vaccine!
Thanks for reading. I hope all is well with you and the fam.
The words, “cutting back” is a frightening thought! I’d rather think of it as doing “more” to reach those goals such as to put “more” healthy food on the table and eat “more” at home rather than at fancy restaurants. I will exercise “more” and hopefully those extra pounds will fall off. I will drink “more” water, tea, soda, milk and orange juice and this will possibly keep me from opening that 2nd bottle of wine. I will spend “more” on my savings account instead of things I don’t need. The deprivation idea was not a practice in my home growing up. February reminds me of the color red most likely because of Valentine’s Day. Red reminds me of the word “STOP!” I’ll try to “STOP” and think before I go out to eat, drink and spend. Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Jack. These blogs inspire me.
I know what you mean. It seems as if we can’t cut back any more. I always look at this month as a time “recharge the batteries.” And it makes March all the sweeter.
So great to hear that you and Kathleen have received the vaccine! Between the austerity month and vaccination, the Nutty Squirrel best prepare for the Hendersons. I hope the first night out in March falls on a meat raffle. Take good care
I think the meat raffle, like the rest of us, has been in hibernation. I hope they start it up again soon. Take care, Jack
Hey JACK,
Sometimes I find it amazing just how alike you and I are. While you and Kitty have your Austerity Month, A few minutes ago Mary and I have implemented what we call Amish Day. We have scheduled it for the Winter Solstice. In 2021 it happens to be on December 21st. While February is the shortest month of the year, technically the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year.
On that day, every year (well….this is technically going to be our first), we have decided that we would refrain from purchasing any real estate or aircrafts. We will also eat healthy for all DAYLIGHT HOURS, and limit all television watching to 4 hours. Just to kick it up a notch, we will also be avoiding all major elective surgeries for that entire day.
Sometimes, we need to take a break and give our chakras a chance to realign.
Great minds…..am I right?
You’re so right. And there’s nothing worse than having you chakra out of whack.
Well, done; made us laugh out loud.