Time And Balance

Several days ago my husband and I were talking about time, how quickly this past year has gone and the older we get the more fleeting it seems to be.

I was visiting Catherine's blog, A Gardener In Progress, and congratulated her on a One Year Anniversary of blogging. Amidst her discussion was the mention of moving from writing every day to perhaps 3 times a week, and that brought me to think about the amount of time we each may spend on the internet, one that if we are not careful, can take on a life of its own.

I assume most of us write/blog for ourselves, as a means of expression and for record keeping, a journal, and in this world we meet others with similar interests, follow them and comment periodically on their writings; they in turn reciprocate. A captivating and wonderful world exists in this age of the internet; we connect with people around the globe, and a truly remarkable community has been formed. We join online gardening groups and horticultural sites. There is email, Twitter, Facebook... more social networking possibilities than are hours in a day, but moderation is the current theme of the day.

Thankfully, we have full lives and time requires attention and constant evaluation; periodically I rethink the balance in our life, and realize that some of the things I do via the internet, although stimulating and interesting, may need revaluation. Thus, I've given myself a writing assignment: make an honest assessment, a list from the following:

- Besides health and family, what are the priorities in my (our) life?

- List my daily activities: exercise, cooking, writing, internet, photography, gardening, laundry, cleaning...

- With only so many waking hours in a day, how shall I choose to use them?

- What do I need to accomplish today... this week... this year?

- What do I want to accomplish?

As the dynamics of our life change, so must our priorities. Last year I developed a knee problem and have been under doctor's care the last six months. Therapy and knee injections have seen some favorable results, but still place limitation on many activities. Rather than exercising at home, my husband and I have joined a fitness center whereby I can exercise in the pool. That now requires about 2 hours of each day for me, and that is ungrudgingly stated.

Our focus is more on things that matter, our priorities, rather than things that don't matter as much. Have you thought about your priorities?

More Raised Beds

On Saturday we looked over our purchase from Territorial Seed and determined we still required a few additional items for spring planting. How did I forget cabbage? These folks have a good range of organic and heirloom seeds that more than meet our needs.

Perhaps my favorite tomato last year, that is besides the small bite-sized Sun Gold which is always in our garden, was the Black Krim, a Russian tomato, and it will be in the garden this year too. Its flavor is the best I have eaten in many years, at least since I lived on the east coast and grew Beefsteak tomatoes. Pineapple is another wonderfully flavored tomato and unique in its red and yellow streaks. San Marzano Gigante is a new one we will try, a Roma but heftier in size. One of the varieties we tried last year was Black Plum: good flavor, a beautiful deep color, but its skin seemed tough to us... thus, we won't try that one again. Too many choices... too little time.

Broccoli and cauliflower, dill, fennel and beets, eggplant and kale, leeks, kohlrabi, spinach and lettuce... Speaking of which, how could one pass up a lettuce called Merlot?

Yesterday was such a beautiful day with the temperature around 50 degrees and quite conducive to raking and cutting back some of the perennials, but mid-morning first found us walking around the garden to determine where we would put a few more raised beds.

On the south side of the house and below the shade garden is what we call the iris holding area. Years ago we purchased a few specimen of Japanese Iris from a lady who was retiring; as they grew and needed to be divided, those that were not given to family and friends were placed here. In addition, some plants that hadn't been potted found their way into this area. It now appears to be the best spot for a few additional raised beds and especially since it is near the main vegetable garden. It's time to make a change and clear the area for more raised beds.

New Day, New Moon, New Year

It rained all day yesterday and into the evening. Perhaps we may see the new blue moon tomorrow... if only there were a break in the clouds.

My husband and I had a wonderful New Year's eve: quiet conversation and a special bottle of wine to accompany our evening meal. How blessed we are and thankful as we raised our glass to family and friends. And I will admit that at 5 minutes past 9 pm pst, we were headed toward bed. After all, we had watched the ball drop at Times Square in New York and for us at this age, that was close enough.

This morning the sound of rain is no longer, and there it was, a birthday present for me... a break in the clouds. Now I can party all day long and especially since our granddaughter outed me on facebook a couple days ago with a countdown... my birthday is no longer a secret. At least she didn't tell how old I was. Megan, grandma still loves you. (I'm having a morning of chuckles.)

In case you missed it, the New Year Blue Moon

So what are my special plans for the day? So far it seems that answering the phone has been in order. My sister was the first to call, followed by my brother who in his very fine baritone sort of voice sang, Hap-py hap-py birth-day baaaa-by! and we laughed as we always do. I heard from one son and one by one our children will likely call; I received several beautiful e-cards from friends; and my husband brought me a bran muffin and a fresh cup of coffee. (He would have put a candle in it but then it wouldn't have been a surprise as he would have had to ask where I kept them. And now I'm laughing and bringing tears to my eyes... I get so tickled. I love that man.)

Pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, applesauce and something green... will be the traditional meal of the day, and yes, I will cook for that is what I love and choose to do. The Gator Bowl and of course the Rose Bowl are on the agenda, and what is this I see... a blue sky!

Such beauty this first day of the year, and that we wish for you all year long.

And don't forget SkyWatch Friday for beautiful skies from around the world.

A New Page

A new moon graces the landscape, but not to be seen amidst the rain in the Pacific northwest. As we bid adieu to 2009, thoughts may turn to a year of many things: failure - accomplishment, risk - reward, sickness - good health, sadness - joy, family and friends, and one of having met many new and wonderful people. Thank you all for that which we have shared; for me it has been an inspiration, and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Tomorrow we turn a page... one that is blank.

Each of us will decide what it is that we will write. May 2010 bring us a clearer vision of who we are and what we are about. I hope each day finds me a better person, and may we live in a world of peace.

We wish you a New Year of good health and much Joy!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God

who is sending a love letter to the world. " ~ Mother Teresa

P.S. Tonight there will be a New Year's Eve Blue Moon, (second time in a calendar month for a full moon), the first since 1990. It is an extraordinary event since another New Year's Eve Blue Moon will not occur until 2028. We hope you can see it wherever you are.