Dark mornings

"Forsythia is pure joy. 

There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness 

or even knowledge in forsythia. 

Pure, undiluted, untouched joy."

Anne Lindbergh

Yes, it is dark and rainy in Seattle, but I feel lucky looking at a vase of blooming forsythia this morning instead of waiting for an "epic blizzard" to strike.  Forsythia is a cheerful sight. They only take a week or so to force open when you bring the branches inside the warm house.  A little trick I learned when I worked as a florist back in another lifetime.

Speaking of January, the longest month of the year, can you believe it's almost over already? Hooray.  If it wasn't cloudy all the time, we would notice a bit more light. 

I like working outside this time of year.  It's very quiet, the birds are busy and I see the structure of the garden through the soggy mess. Blubs are poking up in the rotted leaf mulch, and all the shrubs have buds. Everything starts growing so early here, this is a perfect time to fertilize the roses, transplant, etc.

I cleaned out the shed this week and gathered up the assortment of moldy pots, rusty trellises, crumbling garden "ornaments" and other stuff I seen to accumulate outside.  A couple of years ago, the 1-800-JUNK company left a flier on the porch offering their clean-up services, which was kind of embarrassing.  There is a fine line between rustic and trash. 

Well, one more Sunday of football and it's all over.   Except for the Super Bowl, of course.  Then what will be do with ourselves?  Have a good weekend, and if you are in the path of the storm, stay safe.