… And hunkering down when it’s not. It has been a difficult week. There were days when the sun shone down on us like it was spring and days that felt like winter was making us pay for some unknown slight. Today seems like a bit of both. It is very cold, yet sunny, which is quite manageable for a spot of gardening except the wind is howling and intermittently brings squalls of rain straight off the ocean when you least expected in intervals not really long enough to do anything in the dry spells. I did consider wrapping up warm and popping on a raincoat but decided I wasn’t brave or stupid enough.
The other problem with this week is the weather hasn’t lined up with my commitments and on days when the sky was blue and the air was still, I was indoors doing indoor things that couldn’t be avoided or delayed and then when I’m free and ready to head outdoors, things were far from ok for sensible gardening activities.
It is only to be expected at this time of year, but gosh this winter is being a tease. It makes you think all things are possible and yet its not. It doesn’t help that my goals for the month are huge, and I’ve entered the point of overload where it wakes me in the night as I fret about how I’m going to fit it all in. Some of it is self-imposed expectations but a large chunk of it isn’t and is time sensitive or externally deadlined. I’m not fretting much yet – there are still 24 days left in the month. I’m sure I can fit it all in… Maybe I do need to haul out that raincoat and be brave and stupid!
I did have an hour spare yesterday when the weather was marginally ok, and umm’d and err’d for a while. The soft me was ‘stay inside in the warm, you know you want to’. But the other me said ‘pull ya socks up and get outside. You can achieve a lot in an hour, and you don’t know when the next nice hour will be…’ So, I pulled up my socks and went outside and took down a cover crop and made yet another bed spring ready. Progress does feel good, even if it’s slow.
I’ve also managed to get some good time up in The Palace. Hubby the Un-Gardener gave me several hours of his time on the weekend and so while he shoveled sand to level the area up in preparation for the paving I worked on the rock and have made great progress. After that session everything seems achievable, but that was days and days ago and I’m back worrying optimistically.
But at this time of year, you just need to take each day as it comes because the forecast is always moving, and a sunny day is never promised, and a rainy day always has the potential to become a blessing.
Come again soon – at this time of year I’m constantly fighting with apathy in order to make achievements.
Sarah the Gardener : o)
It looks like you are doing great Sarah. But here too while it is now summer we had a very trying spring during this 2021. Wishing you well.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m really hoping for a good spring and summer, but the more I can get done now in winter, the smoother the things in my control should go. : o)
Lovely to look forward to spring and summer for you. We are in the height of summer and have had some lovely day. The garden is wonderful at the moment, even if it is very overgrown.
I can almost feel a ever so slight change in the days. It is still very much winter, but it feels like we are moving towards something better. I hope you have a fabulous harvest and the rest of the summer treats you well. : o)
Thank you Sarah, we have had such unusual hot weather, it has been lovely. I wish that your springtime is not to far away with all the promises that it will bring!
I love that first shot of Fennel in the window. Your view is breathtaking. I’m sorry you are overworked and losing sleep. That’s not a good combo, Sarah. I hope by month’s end you can breathe again. Your Palace intrigues me.
The weather seems to be in my favour this week and Hubby the Un-Gardener put in some hours in the weekend for me so I feel back in control again. It doesn’t take much to fall behind, but I’m trying my best to make the most of the nice days. Thanks for your concern. : o)
I’m pleased to hear, Sarah.