February Thoughts

What were we doing last year on February 1st...waiting for a big snowstorm. Here is a little of what I wrote:

Here we are just waiting. Started to snow a couple of hours ago. Just a few flurries at first...now a little more significant. The out doors was a different color this morning. A little bit of a yellow in the sky. The wind hasn't started here...yet. Watching the Chicago news this morning, we saw that the wind was actually starting there. All of this bad weather is supposed to start a little later in the day. Weather people are all revved up. Bringing cots and food to work and a change of clothes. As I'm writing, I can look out the window, and it's looking like just a typical winter day in No. Illinois. Now, I'm thinking about the homeless...do they have shelter and food? I understand that our food banks are down in donations this winter. I saw that little black cat again yesterday, back by the woods. How does that cat survive during this cold, cold winter?I will be posting off and on during the storm..to let everyone know what is going on. I probably wouldn't have to do this...the weather shows will be doing the same, but it will give me something to do. So, everyone in this storm's path...take care and be safe. Balisha

Well, this year is different...very different.The last of our very little snow is out by the mailbox and will be gone today. What a crazy winter this has been.....although I'm not complaining. Tomorrow is Groundhog's Day and the groundhog may or may not see his shadow. It doesn't really matter, because we can deal with a few more weeks of this weather. I wonder why our winter has been so strange? Maybe because of all the complaining we gardeners did during the past year :) Well, whatever the reason we gardeners are always looking ahead. This is a fast month and then March...the new beginning starts. Here's a poem for the day...Balisha

"In winter's cold and sparkling snow,
The garden in my mind does grow.
I look outside to blinding white,
And see my tulips blooming bright.
And over there a sweet carnation,
Softly scents my imagination.

On this cold and freezing day,
The Russian sage does gently sway,
And miniature roses perfume the air,
I can see them blooming there.
Though days are short, my vision's clear.
And through the snow, the buds appear.

In my mind, clematis climbs,
And morning glories do entwine.
Woodland phlox and scarlet pinks,
Replace the frost, if I just blink.
My inner eye sees past the snow.
And in my mind, my garden grows."

- Cynthia Adams, Winter Garden.
First published in Birds and Blooms magazine, Dec/Jan 2003