I’m sure I’m not the only one who is wishing away the next six weeks with the expectation of spring. After five months of basically coming home from work and hiding away inside the house, I’m looking forward to preparing flowerbeds, planting a few vegetables and partaking in the annual rituals of raking, fertilizing and mowing. It doesn’t sound exciting to most people, but after an eventless fall, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and an even quieter beginning to the year, I believe a change from planting myself on the couch every evening will be good for body and soul.
I dare not step on a scale anytime soon, as I’m fairly confident I’ve gained more than a few pounds over the winter. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place and very few options for entertainment beyond munching snacks and watching television, I’m wise enough to know that I’m not in the best of physical shape at the moment. Couple that with having to wear a mask when I’m out and about, I’m sure I gasp for air a lot more than a year ago. At least when the snow clears, I’ll get some physical activity in the yard.
Every year, I have to test my memory. I have unwittingly pulled out prize perennials in the past because I’ve forgotten they were there. I see sprouts and automatically assume they are weeds. It is not until someone asks about them that I realize I’ve vandalized my own flower beds.
Then, there are the garden tools. I pack them away every fall but never remember where I put everything when I need them the following spring. By midsummer, I’ll have a dozen pairs of gloves and five or six hand trowels scattered around the yard because I’ve misplaced the last one I was using. Every fall, I’ll find them all and have to pack them away again.
So, as you can see, folks, I need some mental workouts just as much as the physical activity. In the meantime, I’ll continue doing my time indoors. I’m looking forward to waving at all of my neighbours while we work on our yards.
