It’s finally snowing. Now I can have some sense of closure that it’s winter rather than just an ill-defined muddy season following fall. I really need winter closure in the garden this year. I need that peace when the garden is cut to the ground, all neat and tidy, and needs nothing from me. And now it’s freshly mulched with snow.
And I find myself thinking of it as “the” garden instead of as “my” garden, as if to further disassociate from it. Maybe that’s just a winter thing, or maybe I simply don’t have it in me this spring to pick up the shovel and make my annual vow that this will be the year I finally finish the garden to my satisfaction so I don’t long for the escape of winter.
Maybe all of that gardening time and effort would be better spent on other pursuits. I could read so many more books. Or learn to take better photos. Or volunteer with rescue dogs. Or become a ballerina or a cowboy. Or just sit on the back porch and truly relax instead of pretending to relax while scrutinizing the back flowerbed that’s run rampant with Obedient Plant so I don’t have to decide what else to put there.
I’m sure I won’t feel this way once spring is in the air and the sun slants across my veggie beds again. But for now, I need some winter closure.
Hi Kelly! We got our first snow yesterday! At last! Maybe, in a couple of days I’ll complain about it, but so far I am happy. In summer/spring/fall I think that gardening takes all my time. I plan to study my camera’s manual, to clean my picture file, etc. Well, there is no gardening now, and what? I’ve never found that manual and haven’t cleaned that picture file…
Stay warm there!
I feel exactly the same way about the snow finally arriving. And come to think of it, I do the same thing about “the” garden vs. “my” garden. If I think about it too much at this time of year I will never make it to May.
I am really longing for snow too, and we haven’t gotten any. It just seems like all is right with the world when I am cozy in my house with snow outside. Thanks for visiting my blog.
You bring up an interesting point, and one that I entirely agree with…as much as I love my garden (and I do), I really NEED that escape of winter…that time where I don’t have to feel guilty about doing something outside that needs to be done. It’s the ultimate, “Get Out of Jail Free” card…we don’t have to do anything…because we can’t! I wish for the release of a real snow as well…there is something final about it. Like you said, sometimes that muddy in-between state just doesn’t cut it!
We have had snow since we got here in December…and apparently its not going away anytime soon. And you know, I kind of like it.
Of course I would rather be walking the beach, on a cold blustery day with the wind whipping my hair into my eyes, and shiftily trying to feel me up. After all, you’ve not lived until the Ocean has goosed you. But then again, maybe not.
Maybe the snow IS a good thing. LOL.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I feel as you do. It is ‘the garden’ right now,or more accurately, the bird’s garden. I am always glad for winter. It is the only time I really have to get out with the camera just for the sake of the enjoyment. Summer is too busy with work to put myself into my own garden too, even working in the garden.
What a stunning winter garden picture!
I can completely relate. I need the quiet of winter in the garden too. Looks like we got ourselves a real winter now
Cheers, Jenni
I couldn’t live anywhere tropical because the demand of year round gardening would be too much. As much as I love my garden, it’s neediness can be draining and sometimes I feel like I’m running a botanical daycare. I also need a period of dormancy. I saw the storm reported on weather.com and immediately thought of you. I wish it would head our way. Our winter has been way too warm.
I feel sooo much better after reading this and the comments of your readers! I have been feeling a little guilty with my secret wish for snow/real winter. Closure, perfect word. Now I can enjoy digging into the dust clutter and overflowing I’ll-do-that -later drawers, the weeds of indoor living!