Comments on: (W)intermission

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:56:15 +0000

I’m in wintermission, too, letting the ideas percolate slowly in. The early 2010 snow was so beautiful and fluffy, and we got to play in it enough, that it didn’t feel like temporary forced garden retirement. Haven’t even really tried to photograph any of it. Just soaking it in.

Lynn, we’re having a January thaw Smell-the-Earth Day here – it’s percolating audibly! And so are our ideas… I would think that when your work is your photography, you might need to take mini-breaks from it from time to time too. -kris

By: Chookie

Chookie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:25:26 +0000

There’s a bit of a quiet period in high summer as it’s really too hot to do anything beyond the necessary tasks (like tying up tomatoes), but it’s usually filled with beach-going and so on. Winter isn’t as complete a break as yours, but fewwer things can be planted then. Sometimes I think a break would be nice, but then… we don’t have SAD over here.

Chookie, It’s so hard to imagine the height of summer – and beach-going – right now! But just knowing that elsewhere in the world the sun is shining and warm can help the SAD a little (by proxy?). Here the sun is also shining brightly (extra brightly maybe because of the snow) today and that helps too. -kris

By: Liz Stein

Liz Stein — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:14:25 +0000

This winter I am having a hard time getting excited; the last two years in this new house I have been totally engrossed in planning and planting and ordering and designing, only to have the whole thing eaten by deer. This fall I broke down and installed a fence, and so I should be raring to go–but I’m still jaded. Maybe when those first days of January thaw hit, I’ll be into it.

Liz, Deer are the rudest of neighbors and their destruction of your new garden must have been so demoralizing. Good for you for persevering. I think your situation calls for intensive inspiration therapy – visit a greenhouse (are you close by here?), check every gardening book out of the library, borrow all the magazine back issues and try full immersion! And keep us posted. Thanks for chiming in! -kris

By: Layanee

Layanee — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:06:34 +0000

I feel as you do Kris. I need the winter to recharge a bit. Inspiration comes to me in revisiting gardens I saw in the past year, publications, and the bloggers are a great group also for ideas. I must have those ‘Hairy Balls’ this year. I think I will refine the gardens this year. Lots of dividing, improving soil and adding a few new items. As yet unknown. Keep warm.

Layanee, I love that you mentioned refining the gardens and planting ‘Hairy Balls’ in almost the same breath! Perfect! I think you should stop by here too, if you ever can, for a little idea sharing session… -kris

By: Susan Sims

Susan Sims — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:02:09 +0000

I love winter, although, maybe it’s just my Scandinavian blood talking. I’d rather be cold than hot and parched. And, the arborist gives me a discount since business is slow. I like to stomp around in the snow outside to admire the subtle palette and the quiet. Maybe that quiet is really the reason why I love winter – fewer distractions means more quiet thinking time.

Susan, You make winter seem like the best season ever. Maybe if the wind would quit blowing so loudly and bitterly, I’d love the quiet of winter more. -kris