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Monday Missive – 27 Days

Maggie

Yesterday was a wash for me. I started a couple of posts, but I think I was experiencing bloggers block if there is such a thing. What I wrote lacked authenticity. I do not know whose voice my attempts were written in, but it was not mine. Those posts are now steeping in my drafts folder.

On a positive (at least for me) note the first day of spring is only 27 days away so let’s pocket that good news and get started.

  • When I lived in Alaska, the first day of spring meant very little. It was ‘breakup’ (when ice on the rivers breaks up) we looked forward to. To give you an idea, I think the deadline to remove studded tires was May 1st. In contrast, ‘termination dust’ (snow on the mountains) signals the coming of winter, but we won’t discuss that now.
  • We ordered seed potatoes to plant again this year. We did not have a bounty of potatoes last year, but we did have enough to enjoy.
  • The big box stores have lettuce, spinach, and cilantro starts. It is tempting to buy them, but we wait. It does suggest it is time to visit the organic garden shops.
  • So many members of my family are struggling with different challenges. For this empath, it is hard to listen but yet not take on the struggles. I try to put my energy into positive thoughts and encouraging words. Much of my day yesterday was spent on the phone, serving as a sounding board.
  • I have an aching desire to travel and see my family. I know Covid is still here and still a challenge, though. Yes, the numbers are falling but we have been here before. It is so easy for my mind to spin negative thoughts around Covid.
  • The goldfinches are starting the slow transition from their drab brown color to their eventual bold yellow. Another sign spring is on its way. It will not be long until the redbud trees and the dogwoods start to bud out.

How about you? How are things in your part of the world? Are you looking forward to spring? When do you think you will feel safe to travel again?

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46 thoughts on “Monday Missive – 27 Days”

  1. Yesterday was the first day since last fall when I realized that we had green grass in our yard. Suddenly it’s beginning to look spring-y around here. Some daff bulbs are even beginning to do their thing. I’m looking forward to their yellow-ness.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. It got super hot here in SoCal, then very cold, and now it’s back to normal for Feb. Spring is hard for me because it contains the dates of my parents’ deaths. I miss my mom so much, even after all these years. But still I look forward to warmer weather and then summer. I’ve already traveled shortish distances and feel OK about socializing in general…

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    1. Grief anniversaries are so difficult, Paula, so I understand. Here, most people in the border states are out and about maskless, but I’m not ready for that yet. My travel might require a short plane trip – that is a different animal altogether.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Cheer up. You were only suffering the block part. It could of been locked, blocked, and left in a barrel. The green in the middle of the lawn reappeared. Though there may be another topping of white before spring really gets here. Covid I think will continue to retrain us. How abruptly it retrains us is another matter. Hopefully it will give medical personnel a break from the hospital surge. Somehow I think the ” Let’s hurry up and get back to normal theme” will remain the “Oops too soon theme”.

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    1. Green is a nice thing to see even if it is somewhat fleeting for now. I tend to agree with the push to break free of the precautions. We have seen the results of lifting safeguards too soon are often disastrous. I do not know how our health care providers have handles these t8mes.

      I am hoping my block fades – I need to write!

      Liked by 2 people

  5. We have had three storms in a row and planned long weekend visit by Team H had to be cancelled as everyone was warned to stay home. At least three people were killed with trees falling on their cars so I was glad they stayed safely home ( 180 miles away ). Two tiles fell off our roof. A rubbish weekend, but compared with people having trees fall on their house or homes flooded, I can’t complain and daffodils are coming up in my garden.

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    1. Tumultuous weather weekends certainly disrupt our lives. I am relieved to hear you remained safe. When we lived in Florida, hurricane season was always time to be extremely mindful of the weather. I have not seen our daffodils yet, but it should be soon!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. We are probably going to lose all restrictions later today, which I think is too soon. However, we will continue as we have been doing and wear masks in shops, avoiding large gatherings, and restricting socialising.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. People here have almost completely stopped wearing masks inside stores. I am not ready to join them. Our mandates and restrictions are long gone. Everything has been a ‘recommendation’ for a long time now. (Your comment was lurking in my trash folder. No idea why, but I rescued it!)

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  7. The daffodils are coming up in our back garden, but the mud on the dog walks is thicker than ever, and the river level is high. It feels as if Spring may be some way off yet. As for travelling, I would be calm about travelling in the UK, and have no plans to travel abroad anyway.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am not ready to travel abroad, but I would like to take another trip. My main desire is simply to see my family – safely.

      Are you still wearing masks when you go out, Pete?

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Spring is showing itself. Daffodils are blooming. My pomegranate trees are budding. It’s pleasant outside.
    I have no intention of going maskless anytime soon.
    I hope your muse returns to ease your writing block. Thinking of you always.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. We’ve had such a mild winter here in SoCal that it’s hard to see the seasons change at all. In fact, I have a volunteer tomato plant that I’ve been nurturing since I noticed it. It has about 1 1/2″ green fruit already. I have no idea what variety it is, but I’m looking forward to whatever appears.

    I know exactly what you mean about posts not having your “voice.” I find myself struggling with that now and then; trying to make it work. Finally, I realize that I’m trying to make it something I’m not.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Janis, a surprise tomato will be a real treat. We have struggled with insects the last couple of years. They love our tomatoes as much as we do.

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  12. Hmm, here in Quebec, we’re expecting a major snowstorm tomorrow and Wednesday. Typical, apparently, as temperatures are a bit warmer (ha, ha) towards the later side of winter. Ha, ha, again. Writing to a new (repeat) HomeExchange friend who will be staying in our Asheville house for a week starting Feb. 25, I was reminded that late February is still pretty early for places like Pearson’s Falls (which she knew about from Tim’s book). And the Blue Ridge Parkway can be dicey in late winter, too.

    But I’m mindful that I’ll be putting out transplants of spring greens and perhaps sowing seeds as soon as we get back, probably about March 10.

    I’m planning to travel to the Garden Bloggers Fling in June, flying from Quebec City to Madison, WI, but am REALLY motivated to go, after it’s been postponed twice. I think it will be fine, but everyone there will be vaccinated.

    I’ll be wearing a mask to go to the grocery in Asheville, but will have to look at the numbers carefully. We’re hoping that we can eat outside a bit this spring!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We walked up to Pearson Falls the day after Christmas with our grandchildren. it was lovely although none of the beautiful spring plants.

      The Parkway can also get some late snow and it. We often find a portion of the road closed.

      It sounds like you have a lovely summer ahead.i hope you and I can find a day to have an outdoor lunch somewhere.

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  13. I live in Maine so I have no idea what season it is. Tomorrow will be 61 degrees, but on Friday we’re getting a foot of snow. Mother Nature is clearly hitting the margarita pitcher again.
    P.S. Ally Bean sent me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Welcome! Any friend of Ally Bean’s as the saying goes. Where in Maine? I spent many years of my life there. I remember many mornings shoveling snow twice before going to work and again trying to leave work!

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      1. I think those days are gone, our winters have been disturbingly mild for quite a few years now.
        I live in the Mid Coast region, above L.L. Beans, below Stephen King.
        😉

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  14. No spring here. In fact my husband has been unable to take the large Christmas decorations down in the yard because the stakes are frozen solid in the dirt. Spring doesn’t really seem to come here until April. Coming from Oregon where it came in March, it has been a real adjustment.

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