The 51-mph-and-still-increasing wind gusts from this nor’easter are rattling the 1950’s windows still sitting in their casings on the east side of my house this morning. They have picked up in the last hour, adding a percussive sound to the whistles and moans of the wind moving across, between, around, and over the house, trees, and shrubs. It is making Luna restless. She keeps walking from room to room cocking her head one way, and then the other, as the weather turns my home into an harmonica of sorts.
I tried to open the outward-swinging storm door in the kitchen for her an hour ago, but it is snowed shut. Now that it is daylight I will poke a push-broom through the dog-flap so she can at least get onto the back steps. The snow is still falling heavily, though with this wind I don’t know how it can be measured, beyond saying “we are getting a lot of it.” Personally, I am tired of ice and snow, though my feelings are not considered in this winter’s weather patterns.
I spent most of yesterday at the CT Flower Show with daughters and granddaughter. It is, as I have written before, a spring tonic for me every year and this year was no different.
I spoke with the people I bought my greenhouse from; the company is now owned by the woman who runs it, which feels like a small bit of justice in this skewed world. I told another couple how glad I am to have made an investment with it four years ago, especially in these days of local-food-scarcity and the price increases for any food at all. (link below)
https://stores.mainegarden.com
I chatted with Terry Walters, an author of plant-based cookbooks who I have known for years. Her cookbooks are formatted for folks to find delicious recipes for seasonal dishes; I have and use them all.
https://www.terrywalters.net/
I sampled mushroom tea and purchased a small bag to mix in with my daily nettle tea. Younger daughter purchased a bag of mushroom coffee to try and I can’t wait to hear what she thinks of it. I entered a plant raffle to support UCONN’s Horticultural Club. I brought home two jars of a luscious, small-batch, low-sugar, red raspberry jam. I purchased a much needed bag of organic potting soil from a Boston-area company, and a new tablecloth patterned in sunny colors for my dining room table. Older daughter came home with a gorgeous new hat, and beautiful, sparkly jewelry. Granddaughter left there with stickers, jewelry, stuffed animals, and a smile. We petted rescued pythons and turtles, and spied baby dragons peeking out from hillocks in a fanciful display. I coveted a few pergolas, potting-sheds, and perennials, and came home happy and full of ideas. It was a lovely day with some of my most beloved people in a place filled with other people who love and care for the earth in their gardens, and about the beauty, and good and healing foods we grow in them. It was much needed medicine for me.
It has been a long, very cold, winter and it is not over yet. There is snow forecast almost every day this week where I live. I tell myself that the storms herald change. I pray I am right about that both seasonally and in our human consciousness and systems. Time will tell.
Until it does: stay safe; stay warm and warm-hearted; tend to your mind, body and spirit; stand in your grace; hone your courage; speak truth; work for justice; grow gardens and generosity; love one another.
