SUN! Oh yes....
Yesterday, winter seemed to be dragging on FOREVER. Grey skies day after day after day. February and March have the same affect on me as it has on gardenias...
Per Vann Atwater:
- Gardenias require at least four hours of direct sunlight a day, away from direct hot or cold drafts. Keep the soil moist and well-drained. If the plant becomes too dry, it will drop its leaves and buds. Use a light application of acid-based fertilizer monthly except when blooming.
Yes! I need direct sunlight! I need to be away from drafts! I need to be well-drained!
That's me...the human gardenia.
To take advantage of this rare slice of sun, Coco and I headed down to the new bakery in the neighborhood for some coffee and a few little cookies. Coco likes her cookies. (Mmmmm.) As we walked those few blocks, I realized how consumed we have been with so many things centered around the house...or lumberyards...or doctor's offices. I don't really know this neighborhood as well as I'd like even after two years.
I vowed to change that somehow. We have to find the time to get out more. Or we are going to burn ourselves out. I feel a little singed already, lately.
After we got back, I took a deep breath and vowed to get some work done...but in the garage! Which faces west. I can take advantage of the sun as it sinks down the sky this afternoon.
I felt pretty pleased with myself. I composed an ode to the violet on the dining room table. I sang to Dave and Coco. I danced myself into the bedroom. Spring! I felt good! Everything felt light and airy! I felt...
...dorky as I took my work clothes out of the laundry basket and put them on.
Thirty eight years old and I'm still shrinking my laundry. Oh, why, work pants? Why???
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Comments
Oh, the power of spring. It's good to get outside isn't it? The sun makes *such* a difference. After two weeks of on-and-off snow, we finally have a week of clear skies and temps in or near the 40s! Hurrah! Your post made me smile. :)
Posted by: Kristen | March 15, 2005 8:09 PM
the weather has been toying with us mercilessly down here in southwestern ohio---one day it's 60, and the next day it's snowing. but our snowdrops came up the first week of february, with the winter aconite following about a week later. they're in full bloom right now, and they're such a delight---nothing brightens up that last leg of winter, when everything is gray and tired, like flowers peeking up through the snow.
Posted by: mary | March 16, 2005 9:21 AM
oh, and about your pants---having been on the border between "regular" and "tall" sizes all my life, i have a lot of experience with shrinking pants. you probably already know this, but just in case---wash them again, then while they're stil wet, let aaron take one end while you take the other, then puuuuulll. if they're cotton, they should stretch back to a wearable length.
or you can slip on a pair of ballet flats and pretend you're audrey hepburn.
Posted by: mary | March 16, 2005 9:25 AM
Oh yes, I say keep shrinking until you have a stylish pair of capris! Maybe it's a hidden talent; we brought clothes that were a wee bit too big to my grandmother, whose specialty was shrinking things in the dryer. My friend makes cut-off capris out of old pants for working on the house in the summer because she needs the knees for protection, but that little bit of air helps keep her cool. We call them her "Huck Finn" pants. :)
Posted by: Kristen | March 16, 2005 9:44 AM
um... as a guy, I'd like to put in a hearty vote for more Audrey Hepburn emulation.
If the mounds of conclusive data aren't enough to convince some ostriches that we've damaged the climate, this winter should be!
Posted by: Nathan | March 16, 2005 11:18 AM
Be careful of that sun. We don't want you dropping your leaves and buds!!!! POPS"30"
Posted by: POPS | March 16, 2005 12:02 PM