SPRING AWAITS ME
When I think of spring, I do so with some ambivalence, if I am to be honest. On the one hand, trees begin to bud, and the dandelions and crocuses begin to awaken after winter’s slumber. The first robins begin to appear at the feeder where I live and I see more and more people up and down the sidewalk.
But at the same time, it makes me a little anxious. You see, the winter months are a time for me to shut the door on spring, summer and fall which are typically very busy for me. In the spring, I am thinking about planting and planning and ordering plants for our garden spots. These spots are by no means large and unmanageable but they require planning nonetheless. In late spring, I begin the planting which in turn requires daily watering. I do not have any kind of irrigation system in place so I am out watering manually.
In the summer, I continue to water as needed and tend to my flowers and if I have any, my vegetables. Lately, I’ve tended to stay away from the vegetables as I never really got much yield and because flowers have their own special beauty.
In the fall, we get busy planning our fall family picnic which is no small task. Even though we get barely 30 guests, we still plan for about 80. There is food prep to do, lists to make and re-make, supplies to purchase, and generally, ideas are bouncing around in my head like a pinball machine. It’s also the time of our wedding anniversary so I am usually taking stock in my married life and trying to refresh and do what I can to be a better wife to my beloved husband (this, I do year-round).
All of these seasonal things, along with all of the daily, year-round activities usually tire me out by fall’s end. So, by the time winter rolls around, I have been actively growing both myself and my surroundings. I am ready for a break. I am ready to “hibernate” awhile; rest my weary body, and let my roots go dormant. I am ready to watch a little football and watch the first snowfall. I am ready for the blue jays and cardinals to stand out more against the white of the snow and I am content to sit inside with the doors and windows shut, sipping a cup of coffee, tea, or wine and catching up on my reading. I am ready to rest.
When spring rolls around, I am a bit sleepy, and I’m moving at a much slower speed, which seems to be my nature of late. Who cares though, right? I mean, if it takes me longer to switch gears, who’s judging me but good ‘ole me? So as long as I make it into the next gear, does it really matter how long it takes?
Last year, I was busy trying to publish my book, The Story of Your Quilt, a journal for quilters and fiber artists to tell the story of their works. It was a labor of love and I have minimal regrets about the process. But it was hard. Hard maybe because I am getting older and less flexible the longer I’m on this earth. Hard because I’m not so tech savvy and the process relied almost solely on my savviness. I made it out alive though, and have lived to tell you all about it. One day.
For now, let it be enough for me to say that I am resting here while I still have a chance. Spring will begin and I’ll be ready for it but for now, “easy does it” is my motto and first gear is my speed. I am hoping that all of you are settled where you are but will be ready to wake up when spring arrives. I wish for you an easy end to winter and an entrance to spring that fits with your personality and lifestyle. I wish for you flowers and sunshine and easy days watching things come back to life. Be well, my lovelies.