I wanted to post about this season’s gardening plans, but trying to sort it out became so overwhelming, I decided to show you pictures of my lava rock wall instead. It’s a much smaller space to consider, with incredible beauty manufactured all on its own.
When Megan was about eight, I used the “time flies” line on her. She kindly informed me that it does indeed–because each passing year becomes a smaller percentage of your life. Hmmph. Thanks, kid.
Last week it was icy and cold, and I worried that I’d lost interest in gardening. Oh, I was still in it for my day job, researching plant info and managing the plant lust database. But I wondered if I’d made a switch akin to my relationship with magazines–wherein I’d stopped wanting everything in the magazine, and had become content to just look at everything in the magazine. I mean, who would want to go outside in thoroughly miserable, dangerous, inclement conditions?
Wait a minute!
Several days hence, it melted, and for a few glorious moments, blue sky appeared.
It’s an event when it snows around Portland, Oregon. Most of us don’t know how to drive in snow. And the city is not all that well equipped to keep things running smoothly, though they give it the ole college try. And they provide fair warning:
If you choose to drive, stay with your vehicle in a snow and ice storm. Any abandoned vehicle is subject to being cited and impounded. To locate your vehicle, call Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044.
People who move here from snowier climes are quick to rain on our parade. They think we’re ridiculous. But come one. Let us have a couple snow days in winter.
May your feeders be busy and bright.
Apparently Christmas is in a week. You wouldn’t know it by me. Every year, I think a) I’m really going to be on top of my game, or b) maybe nothing this year. Don’t get me wrong, I like the season and the decor and the chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But it’s a lot of work, money, and then Mister. Maybe by next year he’ll be better. It could happen.
Last week I meant to get around to the topic of plants that are still looking good in there garden. Of course, if you avoid going outside because of pesky record rainfall, tornadoes and stuff, you’d never know. We’ve had day after day of 2-3 inch rain, followed by more of the same. And a tornado in Battle Ground WA, twenty miles north of where we live. Unusual for these parts, but not unheard of.
My friend Gail had a passel of aunts: Ada, Etta, Ida, Oda, and Uda. If one was Ima, I’d fit in the group–as in I’m a fair weather gardener. Oh sure, I get prepared with the mulch and the frost cloths and the ideas. But when it comes time to employ them, it’s too cold out there. I skid to a stop at the threshold as ably as Pumpkin–and this after she’s begged to go outside for an hour straight. It’s a rinse and repeat situation with that pooch.
A little post-thanksgiving song and dance.
Keep warm out there!
Cheers