WordSisters

Category: seasons

  • Steering Out of the Doldrums

    For the last two weeks, I’ve struggled with the late winter doldrums. I’m ready for spring, but Winter. Just. Won’t. Go. In sailing usage, “doldrums” refer to a low-pressure area around the equator where the winds disappear and sailing vessels could be trapped for days or weeks. That sums up my feeling: I’m becalmed, waiting for spring’s energy to blow my life back on course.

    I’ve been listless and had trouble mustering enthusiasm for new projects. Consequently, I’ve elevated my knack for wasting time to new heights (that should probably be “new lows”)—

    • Sleeping longer than normal (my body resists getting up in the dark again)
    • Reading mysteries (my go-to escapist read) instead of more challenging literature
    • Researching facial moisturizers (Seriously?!? That might deserve half an hour of my time, not the two hours I actually gave it.)

    This is familiar territory, so I go easy on myself when I recognize the pattern. In fact, that’s part of the cure—recognizing and accepting that I’m in the doldrums.

    Dissatisfaction and restlessness prod me to analyze where my time actually goes (this is pretty geeky, but it works for me). At first, I neutrally list how I’ve spent my time recently.

    That brings to mind a few things I ought to do (wash the kitchen floor, clean the bathrooms). I cross out those—they’re definitely not mood-lifters!

    Soon, my mind shifts from chores to daydreaming about what would be fun to do. A fresh little breeze of possibilities stirs. I begin a new list.

    For years, I’ve recalibrated my priorities by regularly asking myself: Am I living the life I want to lead? How can I tinker with my free time or refocus my efforts to be sure my work and family commitments are satisfying?

    I’m taking a new tack and moving forward again.

  • Fall Meditation

    Every year fall delights me. Nondescript shrubs and trees surprise me with their dazzling colors. The cool air and shorter days are visceral reminders that we are not simply brains attached to keyboards and phones, but human animals subject to the rhythms of nature. Being part of a cycle that has been going on every year for eons restores my perspective. I hope these photos refresh you, too.

    The pleasing artistry of primary colors—coreopsis, salvia, and burning bush

    fall-flowers

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The exuberance of neighborhood Halloween decorations

    blowup-goblin

     

     

    graveyard

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The surprise of seeing three construction workers on a seven-story building across from the hospital cafeteria

    construction

    The peaceful beauty of a golden tree arching over Minnehaha Creek

    creek-and-golden-tree

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Winter will be here soon enough, but for now, I’m immersing myself in everything this fall offers.

  • Defensive Landscaping

    In late April and early May, my mind is abuzz with gardening and landscaping plans. I research plants, dream up color schemes, make lists, haunt garden centers, and chart the hours of sunlight for my new garden—yep, I’m hardcore. In years past when I had a large suburban lot, my focus was on what to do with all that space.

    One of our four large gardens in the suburbs
    One of our four large gardens in the suburbs

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Now that I live in the city and have a very small yard (intentionally), I focus on defensive landscaping—how to create something attractive to camouflage undesirable views, including those of my much closer neighbors’ yards.

    1. Create an inspiring view for my office window.
    My current view
    My current view

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    What if I had a silver moon clematis growing on a trellis by the garage?
    What if I had a silver moon clematis growing on a trellis by the garage?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Cover up my neighbor’s deteriorating garage.
    Sigh
    Sigh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Maybe a columnar birch would camouflage the neighbor's garage.
    Maybe a columnar birch would camouflage the neighbor’s garage.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Add native grasses to screen the view of the alley.
    John's new fence adds some privacy.
    John’s new fence adds some privacy.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    What if we added clumps of feather reed grass along the fence like this?
    What if we added clumps of feather reed grass along the fence like this?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In April everything seems possible. By August, it’s all over. But if this year’s plan doesn’t turn out as great I’m picturing, there’s always next year!