“We have really only that one light, one source for all power, and yet we must turn away from it by universal decree. Nobody here on the planet seems aware of this strange, powerful taboo, that we all walk about carefully averting our faces, this way and that, lest our eyes be blasted forever.”
– Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
So many of you still have your gardens under a heavy blanket of snow that I do sometimes feel a bit guilty, whining about not being able to get out and garden as I’d like by the end of February. But we can all experience the sun now, and it’s fun to realize that we all regularly participate in this unacknowledged, universal taboo, in every season, on every continent, and at almost every latitude.
Of course excepting the Arctic Circle where human beings are now experiencing perpetual Polar Night or Polar Twilight. I’m in awe of the psychological fortitude required to live out this season in such places. Comparatively, I’m a total winter weakling.
Today the sun has been with us, but has not managed to overcome the deep chill in the air. It’s so cold I’m back to all my January behaviors, wanting to hunker down inside with a meaty novel and a cozy blanket, even resorting to making a cup of hot chocolate once twilight settled in the hollow. My current read is John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces, although I do highly recommend the origin of the above quote, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek; both are winners of the Pulitzer Prize.
The cats seem to be responding to other signals somehow, spending as much time as possible outdoors, Booty traipsing back inside coated with shimmering mica dust, Leo bringing back the results of his renewed energy for stalking prey, and both of them beginning the infamous spring shed. (Spring is truly the season where I heart my vacuum cleaner.)
And the garden, too, is responding to some cues I must be missing in this unseasonable chill. The rosemary is perking up and possibly preparing to flower, the garlic shoots are suddenly reaching for the sky, and the recently-thinned radishes are fattening up, as F. verified with an impressive Daikon he sampled today.
One pea is even sprouting. I’m hoping he’s the advanced outlier on a bell curve of peas that not only survived the snows and cold nights, but might feel right at home in such conditions. Peas, you will remember, are my new vegetable to try growing in 2010, and as such I have no idea what to expect. Our last recommended planting date for bringing them to maturity before the heat sets in was February 15th.
This one may be a freak who survived against all odds — or the sign that not all is lost. Even so, if the peas fail utterly, I have other seeds to plant in their place.
In the garden, it is hard to lose it all; isn’t it? The flow of life and possibility never ceases, even if we’re stuck contemplating it only in the mind’s eye while snuggled under a blanket.
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Hi Meredith, i followed the link in Jodi’s but discoverd i actually have you already in my followed links. I found you earlier in some other connections, as i sometimes get into a commenting frenzy, clicking commenters in some posts whom i feel like pursuing.
I fully agree with you about the feelings of those with long winters. But can you imagine the difficulties of us here in very hot and humid tropics gardening under a full sun! I tell you even at 7am it is not pleasant anymore. Gardening is a difficult chore in our circumstances. I actually envy the more number of hours people in more pleasant environments can stay tending their garden. Of course we have pros and cons, and maybe blogging was here to alleviate our differences, share and extend friendships beyond “zones”. This way we are clearing the negative litters in the world’s consciousness. Thank you.
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More of the white stuff here today, no sign of either sun or of Spring. But don’t feel guilty, Meredith – I love that you are gearing up for the new season and I’m managing (honest – lol) to keep my jealousy within reasonable limits.
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The southern US really is experiencing cooler temps these days, isn’t it? I’m glad the kitties like it. Mine like the sunshine too but still prefer sleep over just about everything.
Snuggle up with that blanket and book to your heart’s content Meredith, there will be sun and garden work in plentiful supply for you soon enough I think!
I do like the image of the ‘powerful taboo’ but don’t think I could survive whole days without it’s warmth on my shoulder – even if it’s a bit on the scorching side at times! When you talk about places still in the clutches of deep winter snow or endless night it makes me think I am the soft one – I’ve only a few really hot days to contend with each summer and a bit of frost in winter – yet I still complain about both!
Good luck with those peas – can’t wait to see them growing
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Thank you for the book recommendations – I am always building my future reading list.
I am looking forward to reading about the warm weather gardening, but in the meantime – the reading and blanket snuggling sound just fine!
Lynn´s last blog ..Atlanta rhythm, eclectic irreverent and waving
Dear Meredith, Whilst I really do understand your frustrations at not being able to get on outside, I have, in recent years, come rather to enjoy the winter and the cold. It does provide a marvellous excuse for doing one’s own thing instead of feeling slightly guilty about all the jobs which are piling up and waiting to be done.
However, as you say, there are small signs everywhere of new growth just ready and waiting.
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Hi Meredith, thanks for the Annie D. quote. I loved that book and another you might have already, The Living. If not, look for it, you will love it, I am sure! This winter has been just as you say, going on and on. A pea!!! That is a sure sign of things to come, that spring will indeed grace us once again. We would love to see some of that sunshine you speak about, as well. One of these days, it will return and there will be great rejoicing.
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Very interesting hauntingly beautiful photo Meredith! I love Annie Dillard and I love your writing along with the shared thought of how we share the same sun but must look away… I especially like how you put this… ‘…once twilight settled in the hollow.’ Very Nice! Enjoy your garden and good luck with your peas!
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