Aging with Grace

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips it’s turn.

Hal Borland

Growing up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, spring did seem to skip it’s turn. Autumns were filled with forests of stunning, jewel colors  and the smell of wood smoke. Spring got lost between mountains of frigid snow and sudden, balmy days with bright blue skies above crystal clear lakes. 

I feel much the same about Colorado. We often go from an April snowstorm to endless, bright, sunny days, with very little in between. Never have I been more ready to get out on the patio and fill planters with herbs and flowers than I am this year. I’m sure much of that is due to being forced to stay at home for weeks. I have often thought about how fortunate we are to be going through this time of separation during this time of year. At least we have weather that makes going for a walk in the park or sitting out on the patio with a good book doable. I would hate to face being stuck inside for days on end. 

The only thing that is holding up my gardening plans is an old, well-known  caveat for this part of the country. It states, firmly,”No planting until after Mother’s Day.” Choose to ignore this at you own peril. I speak from experience, after replanting flowers that were turned into a mass of mush after an early May freeze. As tempting as it is to rush ahead, I’ll wait until the safety of the days after Mother’s Day.