Yesterday, during the 1 hour of sunshine Mother Nature decided to allot for my use, I did a little clean up in the garden. This part of my hyacinth had bent over to touch the ground so I decided it needed to be in a little McCoy vase in the house. What an amazing scent hyacinths have. During the rain that descended later in the day and continues today, I have often stopped to breathe in that perfume.
What a frustrating spring that has been! Day after day of unseasonably cold, rainy weather. Only a few days of sunshine, and never two days in row. Nothing is blooming yet, save for the daffodils and forsythia, even at the end of April. When I decided to take the coaching job in Wisconsin, I was cheered by the fact that I wouldn’t be leaving quite as early as I had to when I was working in San Diego. I was sure I would get to see more of the garden in bloom. No such luck. In fact, there is much less in bloom than there was right before I left for San Diego last year. A quick look back in my blog archives shows me that.
This is our weather forecast for the next 5 days:
I have to mulch, pot more flowers, plant the window boxes. Oh, and I have to pack, organize everything here before I go, write lists for Don. I don’t feel motivated to do any of it, partly due to a reluctance to face the fact that I have to leave for 7 weeks and partly due to this unending dismal weather. Winter was terrible this year. Spring, so far, has been an extension of those gray winter days. I was counting on this time not only to work in the garden but to be in the garden. Being in the garden, working there, takes me to another place. I lose all sense of time. For a little while, my worries fade away as I work with the soil. And there are many worries at present. So I look forward to this particular form of meditation all winter. I feel a bit cheated this year.
I’ve been reading the journals of poet and writer May Sarton. She moved to Vermont in the early 1960’s and writes about her solitary life as a writer as well as the joys of gardening. From one of her journals, Plant Dreaming Deep, she writes:
It seizes a person whole and once it has done so,
he will have to accept that his life is going to be radically changed.
There are seasons when he will hesitate to travel, and if he does travel, his mind will be distracted by the thousand and one children he has left behind, children who are always in peril of one sort or another….whatever he has considered to be his profession has become an avocation. His vocation is his garden.”
Oh..so sorry that the weather is not it’s best this year……I read the Farmer’s Almanac for the East coast back at Christmas and it did mention lots of rain this Spring. There will be no talk of drought there for sure.
The sprig of hyacinth is stunning, what a gorgeous color..an yes, the scent is heavenly.
xox Rella
Well, being from NY I can fully understand what you’re feeling. I’ve been poking around the yard a bit, but haven’t had a chance to get into the garden and do what is needed! Hoping for a span of nice weather soon! It has to come eventually!
The photo is beautiful.
-Lynn
That is a beautiful quote…it speaks to me, too! It really has been a weird year, but today, at least, will be 60 and sunny… hopefully it will head your way!
Claudia- I am so sorry that the weather is not cooperating. I also lose all sense of time when I am in the garden- there have been times when my hubby has had to pull me out of it. I hope you have at least a little bit of sun here and there before you have to leave. Yesterday was our first decent day too- it’s been so cold here still :( Here’s wishing you a productive week and I hope your garden gives you a little surprise this week -something you can remember and cherish with you while you are away ♥ a big hug for you!!
Oh Claudia
So sorry for the grey rainy day. I’m sending the sun your way. We had rain yesterday too – late into the night, but the sun if finally peeking out:)
Leann
It certainly has been a long winter and now a soggy Spring so far. You are in good company!~Hugs, Patti
So sorry that the weather isn’t going to be the best this upcoming week. I will send you some sunshine from L.A.
Thanks for sharing the words of May Sarton…her words ring so true with me as well. Perhaps all your rain will make spring (when it finally arrives for you) all the more beautiful!!
Dear Claudia- so bad for you-you surely needed some lovely sunshine houers before your traveling–But mother nature don`t asks us–but lives her life–and we have to follow….
I so hope for you ,there will still be many joyable houers in your garten, when returning back.
Your Hyacinth color is fantastic.
Hugs,Dorthe
Awww you’d think that because we had such a horrible winter that spring would be gloriously abudant, but perhaps summer will make up for it all. Hang in there! Blessings, Joanne
yeah, I missed my lily of the valley blooming this year because of travel…
Same yucky stuff here all week. I’m ready to head back to FL. I can’t believe I thought to put all my winter gear away before I leave. What was I thinking. Hang in there. Next year, you need to pay your family a visit in March/April.
I promise to try and not send anymore east.
And we finally got rain! Yes, that really does sound like you as I read it.
Brenda
I know how you feel. This afternoon we had a really bad hail storm. In fact, the hail came down so hard that David called our insurance agent while he was on the road because the hail was coming at him at 60 mph. He thought that the paint was going to be stripped off the truck. Wanted to make sure that our policy covered repainting from hail damage. Someone needs to notify our weatherman that Sunday is May 1st. Enough winter already!!! Take care, have faith. That’s my motto.
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
So sorry to hear of your uncooperative weather there, Claudia. That quote really resonated with me. I love gardening. It’s such a strong part of my life’s rythm. Wishing you more sunny hours before you leave!
Hugs,
Jill
PS: I’m reading The Kitchen Daughter. I’m so glad I was able to learn about it through your review~ thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Claudia,
I have read The Kitchen Daughter and recommended it to friends.
I am so sorry that the weather has been so uncooperative and that you have to leave for a while. I know how much you love your little cottage and your life there.
Carol
Hi Claudia~ day after day of cold and rain is so disheartening. I feel so dependent on decent weather to lift my mood and keep me ‘sunny’ and when we get lousy weather that doesn’t seem to end…arghhh! I know how you feel & hope it gets better for you quick!
I wish I could send you warm sunshine, gentle flowers and pretty blooms. I promise to close my eyes and wish them to you.
I’ve been missing you on Pink Saturdays.♥
I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE WEATHER, WE HAD A FEW DAYS OF NICE WEATHER, I HOPE IT CONTINUES. EVERY AFTERNOON IT CLOUDS UP, AND BY NIGHT IT IS RAINING….I HOPE WE HAVE BETTER WEATHER SOON, AND FOR IT TO STAY. TAKE CARE, RIZZI
Hi Claudia, My daffodils are in full bloom but the trees are just beginning to hint at budding! Not a single lilac or even tulip yet! And the Lilies of the Valley didn’t even come up. Usually they come up like weeds here. I would like to recommend a book to you: And I Shall Have Some Peace There by Margaret Roach. Her garden is in NY near the corner of MA and CT. Her website is AWayToGarden.com. I think you might enjoy the book and the website. Linda
Good Morning Pretty Lady,
I do know how frustrating the weather can be for gardening, and I’m so sorry you’re feeling that now. I will be sending your jumping jacks on their way soon, I’m just collecting some other goodies to throw in the box. Have a lovely weekend.
Love ya’
Meri