False Spring Hopes

This poor bloom doesn't stand a chance.  I guarantee winter will be back by next week.

It’s not quite Groundhog’s Day, but the weather today is already having everyone think about spring.  (For those not familiar with Groundhog’s Day, it’s an unofficial holiday in the United States where we pull a groundhog out of its burrow to determine if there are 6 or 8 more weeks of winter left.  A bit barbaric, and maybe not too smart since we’re disturbing a hibernating animal, but it’s done anyways.)  

It’s close to 60 degree F today, and while I was working in the garden this morning, I heard many others out and about.  The weather is odd here; one day it’s winter and I’m huddled before the heater, and the next day has me grabbing a rake and wanting to spend my time outside.  I’m weary though.  I’ve seen it before; the flowers start to bloom and bam!, winter comes backs bringing Siberian winds and blowing snow.  Those earlier blooms don’t even have a chance.  So, as we wait for the reality check that it is still technically January, I’ll take advantage of the weather and see if I can make that goal of getting the garden cleaned before Thanksgiving, Christmas, the end of winter.  I have a few more weeks, right?  

The End of the Extended Vacation

 

Notes on the end of Christmas vacation and the return to reality.

I have reluctantly gotten back into the swing of things.  I should, I tell myself.  After all, it is the end of January and vacation ended two weeks ago.  I like blogging, it’s not that.  I was just hoping to have some mind blowing revelation to share; I don’t.  Coming back to Southern France was hard; it is every year.  I’m generally grouchy for the first week or two.  I need to time adjust: our rhythm, the weather, the house.  In the kitchen, I’m always bumping into Christophe; by American standards, our kitchen is small.  I quickly adjusted to the large kitchens of my family and friends.  Now, at home, I cannot warm up soup without getting bumped and jostled and finding myself in some kind of tangle.  The house needs time to warm up too.  Taking the chill out of the three feet thick stone walls doesn’t happen overnight.  Starting the wood heater; bringing in wood; hanging up the laundry – the daily chores of life have returned with no promise of a candy cane or twinkling lights afterwards.  I’d love to be distracted by winter sports, but alas, there is none here; there’s not enough snow and way too much wind.  So, I’m focusing on spring – and maybe keeping the house clean.  I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I’m still try to better myself and my life by doing what some people manage to do all the time.  That said, I’ve got laundry to be folded, a sink full of dishes waiting for my attention, a two week old copy of The New York Times I still haven’t finished (but I won’t recycle it until I do), and presents that I have not found space to organize yet.  Yep, I’m off to a great start.