The Senses of the Seasons

With shoulders bent and bundled, we trudged though a weary winter. Gradually winter eased its grip, and the ice and snow began to ebb away. But it seemed the days only reluctantly became longer, refusing to usher in the warm breath of spring. Cold, wet days plagued April and May. We were teased with short bursts of sunshine. Gardens were planted once, then twice, and sometimes a third time. It rained June in and summer was a fleeting wish. It rained in July, cold drenching rain.

But Mother Nature kicked in and she rocked the earth with hot weather!

Beans and carrots and beets and peas exploded from their trice planted rows in furious growth. Raspberries produced a bumper crop, and the the plum trees became laden with fruit.

And seemingly before it all began ~ the end of August arrived requiring long sleeves to ward off the chill of early morning and late evening.

The intensity of  a short summer has begun a descent to the fleeting and fragile beauty of autumn. We are beset with the spontaneity of seasons and they manifest in our senses.

Inhale  it ~ Drink it in ~ Feel it against your skin ~

Take it into your heart ~ Be Thankful.

The Gift of Green





 An offhad comment has turned into one of the most wonderful gifts imaginable! "We should build you a greenhouse" my husband said more than a few years ago.

But like all small projects, it takes time. This was not to be a kit greenhouse purchased from the hardware or big box store. We had excess building material, windows, (vintage and otherwise), we had corrigated greenhouse roofing, a sink, and big ideas! The construction started about Mothers Day. Before the windows were all added or the door was on, I had planted a variety of veggies! This has become my playhouse! We have created this exclusively from recycled, reclaimed and repurposed material. It is vented, has running water and we can monitor the tempurature from inside the house. We only have to add a heating system early this spring.

Balance

My last blog post, September 2, 2011 seems like eons ago.

The garden, in comparison to other years, struggled but still produced for us an abundance of food. With juggling full time work and the rest of my life, it seemed like I scrambled to get it all put up.
At the end of the season with the quiet slumber of winter looming, I had time to wonder and reflect about the balance in people's lives, in our lives. The question became how to fit work, family, cleaning, day to day tasks, recreation and rest into a day that demands so much attention and time. Time management at work is essential, but at home it is often sponatious and chaotic! 
In the winter, we languish with hot pots of soup cooking merrily away, bread rising, friend showing up.  But there is something about spring with the soft breezes, sunshine and longer days that seems to give us restoration, summer gives us energy, and autumn gives us our nesting tendancy.
I have found my husband and I are seasonal people
and that in itself is our balance.