The highlight of winter is already behind us, four days after the season’s start. Now, months of cold, wind, brown, and grey stretch before us. I look out the window and ache for emerald leaves.
Christmas is only one day gone, and my mind is already on the garden. I ordered a seed catalog today. I’m antsy for green growing things. My days of staring through glass doors to reimagine the flower beds have begun. I want sunflowers again, and zinnias, and Mexican sunflowers if I can find a spot, and maybe something new and different too.
For the next few weeks, I imagine I’ll draw and redraw garden plans. I’ll make lists of plants I want to buy as soon as the garden center is open. I’ll take warm weekends to cut back and compost, and I’ll plan my annual spring mulch delivery and gardening vacation.
Waiting is hard. Today is okay because there’s there’s fresh white snow on the ground. Red cardinals alight on the fence and look lovely against the glittering white. But when the snow melts, it’s going to be a rough few months of a bulky clothes and naked branches. I want warmth and sunshine, green and butterflies.
Butterfly Mind 