I know I’m not the only one that’s been freezing all Spring and I’m so ready for some warmer weather…some sunshine and normal temperatures. We’ve been asked to accept new norms in shopping, political extremes, prices at the pumps, grocery stores, schools and more. If that is not disturbing enough, even the weather hit our comfort zones this Spring.

I don’t mind telling you I’m a barefoot girl! I love the beach…walking in the sand and letting the tide run up over my feet getting my jeans wet is heaven. Well…this Spring I found myself pulling on socks and practically abandoning my flip flops and sandals. That was quite a shock to my system. I even walked around in the mornings and evening with a blanky. It was quite disturbing. Our dog even rebelled going out at night. Just try to tell a 96 lb., 5-year-old German Shepard it’s time to go night-night out on the patio when she is all cozy on her mat in the family room. We could get her as far as the door opening, letting in the chill when her brakes went on. Even my husband, who considers himself quite the dog trainer could not convince, bribe, or cajole her out the door. Actually, we gave up and let her stay in just so we wouldn’t let in that frigid air, and this is a guy who grew up in Nevada!!! Having her in at night multiplied my need to vacuum to every other day!!!

I hate to watch the news, but I heard enough to know that the roofs of cabins and grocery stores were caving from the snow in the local mountains. I’m afraid my weather man is my window. I like it that way. Don’t tell me what’s coming, just moment by moment is fine with me. They always get it wrong on the news, what ever brand you watch or listen too. My window is a changing adventure and I like it that way.

The worst of all with the crazy weather for So. California was the toll it took on my garden. I love to garden (not the vegetable variety) and keep my perennials, roses, and what nots looking their best. Most years there is not much of a difference in appearance with our wonderfully boring weather, but this year, our chill factor made me give up and it showed. Not only did I feel challenged, but I was shocked at the transformation of my outdoor space. Here we are in the middle of April and I’m finally digging out my yard shoes, sweat shirt, old jeans and garden gloves to revive the ailing, un-nourished, survivors with pruning, feeding, and digging and praying.

Just yesterday, I felt a nice warmth on my shoulders as I puttered away “painting a new picture” so to speak. We can all be artists in our garden. We can dig out, add to, re-shape, and nourish as we begin to see the transformation that spurs us on. Gardening is more physical than painting …more like sculpting with garden tools. I found out it also helps us stay in shape. I had a few sore muscles, but it’s one of my favorite ways to work out. I even kicked off my canvas yard shoes and sat down with bare feet in a beach chair as I soaked in that old familiar feeling of freedom from the shackles of shivers.

Till next time,
Jackie Jesch