So yeah, it’s been a pretty shitty month with a foot of snow, an enduring icy landscape, California wildfires and dealing with RSV virus, which produces endless, metallic, lung-rattling coughs as if your personal muffler is dragging on the ground.
For a week to ten days. No medical cures available. Maybe a new muffler.
As January unfolded, came a petty, childish, insecure, vindictive – and duly elected – president tossing fear and counter- productive edicts in a dozen world-wide directions.
Where to hide from all that?
So, I’m off to the gym to work out, a usual cure for the blahs, then home, carefully maneuvering down our slowly melting, skating rink of a driveway to park the pickup behind the garage.
Where the gloom suddenly lifts. It just did. For the moment.
There before me are eight previously mentioned squirrels and a flock of birds happily eating more previously mentioned bird seed off our icy landscape. Gratis.
Off to their left, the ice melting in patches, is our perennial garden. Sure, most of it is still covered in winterscape and empty pots, a low stone wall and large gnarly rocks.
But I’m looking at it in the bright blue sunlight of hope, damn near optimism. The mind sees a contorted Harry Lauder walking stick drooped in pale flares, gorgeous purple hydrangea shrubs, yellow and pink clematis, blue phlox and golden daisies.
Farther back the dogwoods bloom white, the cherry tree pink, the conifers a carpet of blues, grays and silver.
Temperature in the 50s coming. Start seeds in the heated greenhouse in six weeks. All of it visible out the windshield of a 2009 Ford 150. Promise.
*******
Bob Hill, Garden Ranter Emeritus, is an award-winning journalist with 4,000 columns under his belt in a 33-year career. All tapped out with two fingers. He is the recipient of the Ernie Pyle Award for the “ability to connect with people and tell their stories.” He is also the author of 14 books. His latest is a memoir called “OUT HERE: ENCOUNTERS FROM THE HEART, SOUL AND LEFT FIELD.” Kentucky essayist, poet and novelist Wendell Berry recently wrote Bob a handwritten letter and said,
You are a readable writer and a likeable writer which is to say a good writer. This book is not recommended for people who need to quit reading and go to work.”
“Out Here clearly is the right place for you.”
Yes, Peace
Wendell
OUT HERE is available from Old Stone Press or in Louisville from Carmichaels.
Your fleeting vision of hope is lovely and life-affirming in this difficult time. Thank you.
A bit of sunshine, a reminder of spring…thank you!
Living for “the bright blue sunlight of hope,”
indeed.
January is almost gone, better days lie ahead, we gardeners and the other kind people of this splintered place are doing what we can.
Stay strong, stay together., keep planting
and we will get through this.
And stay off the ice!
You had me nodding with your first sentence. Though in our house physical health has been ok, national events leave us emotionally drained, prone to quarrelling and not sleeping well. Hmm…let’s find a bright spot. Well, this completely sunless morning, brought enough rain to trigger the sump pump. That brings me the happy reassurance that at least the pump works and the basement won’t flood. We look out at frolicking squirrels and envision another summer of tomatoes half eaten on the vine. Glad you found your lovely vision. Still searching for mine.
Ford F-150, living in a country setting and loving nature. You’ve more in common with us right leaning farmers than you think. Welcome!
I love a contorted Harry Lauder walking stick. I also love my cobalt blue Ford F-150. I, too, am glad that January 2025 is in the rearview mirror.
That brings me the happy reassurance that at least the pump works and the basement won’t flood. We look out at frolicking squirrels and envision another summer of tomatoes half eaten on the vine. Glad you found your lovely vision. Still searching for mine. Play game uno online free.
If you enjoy Snow Rider 3D, you might also want to check out other exciting winter-themed games. Titles like Moto X3M Winter, Santa Run, and Geometry Dash Subzero offer similar fast-paced, obstacle-dodging action but with unique gameplay mechanics. Whether you prefer the thrill of high-speed races, the challenge of precision platforming, or the excitement of endless Snow Rider 3D adventure, there’s no shortage of winter fun to explore.