Post-Solstice Cheer

The Winter Doldrums grabbed me tightly midway through Fall this year, and refused to let go. Aside from the medical diagnosis of an actual Vitamin D deficiency, I suspected there could be other real reasons for my glum attitude and inability to shake the lethargy. For one thing, it simply would not stop raining. I was able to get only one bag (of about ten) of spring-blooming bulbs that I had ordered, into the ground between rainstorms. I managed to incorporate only one bag (of six) of cow manure into my garden soil. I provided a neighbor with a dozen paper leaf and lawn bags but then was unable to go pick up his collected leaves for the garden, both because of the rain, and because it was always dark before I left work in the evening.

Distractions were plentiful. The Thanksgiving weekend had been set aside for finishing a sewing project for my granddaughter, but alas, my sewing machine broke on Thanksgiving Day. Then a warning light showed up on my car’s dashboard. And I broke a tooth.

On the plus side, while chatting with the sewing machine repairman, I revealed to him my long-suppressed desire to sew with a vintage sewing machine. Turned out that he deals in vintage Singer sewing machines, and thus has begun a new hobby for me. I now am the proud owner of a Singer 401A, and a Singer 503A – the Rocketeer!

So, I finished sewing my granddaughter’s comforter and pillow shams, and got the family’s Christmas gifts into the mail just in the nick of time.

Well, I missed the Solstice celebrations – too busy working and sewing and stressing – but it’s not lost on me that the days are already infinitesimally longer. Yesterday it did not rain, the sun was out all afternoon, and I went on a quick walk in my neighborhood all bundled up in scarves. Too cold to plant the rest of those bulbs but maybe there will be a chance to do it soon.

Meanwhile, I have seen a few bright and cheerful things around me that I’d like to share.

The Georgia State Capitol Building, which is across the street from my office building, is decorated with dozens of these beautiful live pine wreaths this Christmas season.

Hellebore seedlings have blanketed the ground under an ancient oak tree in my backyard. It’s too soon to tell which kind of hellebores these are; I have both white, “stinking” hellebores, and the more colorful Lenten Roses, both growing rampant throughout the yard.

My cast of Office Plants are showing off. They love the new office suite we moved into late this summer. So do I!

In the herb garden, this faithful sorrel plant is bright green, crunchy, and delicious.

And finally, this pretty little pansy proves how much joy a dollar can bring.