Can it really be February?

It was overcast this morning, so local groundhogs emerged from their dens and did not see their shadows, which per legend means spring will come early. In reality, it's been an uncharacteristically mild winter for this part of New Hampshire, with little snow. I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to get out cross-country skiing. But the New!Improved!Patricia has been successfully going to the gym in the mornings, trying to stay in shape.

And on the subject of gym time, why is it that anything I choose to do winds up meaning less time to read? For example, reading in the morning doesn't work if you're rushing to squeeze in a trip to the gym. But why isn't it ever boring things that get eliminated, like less time to wash dishes or less time for laundry instead of less time for reading? Seems to be fundamentally unfair.