I Miss Green

The snow has lost its luster. It's been shovelled, plowed and trampled until now it is just piles stained black with sand and dirt. Gray landscape, gray skies, gray mood. It's dark when I go to work, dark when I come home; just a dull colorless world surrounds me. This morning the sun has made an appearance but it has done little to improve the situation. Everywhere I look it is just blah!

I'm not really depressed or blue. I'm just bored with my surroundings and craving the color change and variety of the other seasons. When A and I first bought our home I was never intersted in gardening or taking care of the yard. A liked that work and I was happy to let her have it while I focused on the indoor remodel. When our remodel extended into our yard I became more involved and we created a secluded outdoor patio space with flower beds that are constantly blooming in a variety of beautiful colors. We perused every home garden design magazine we could find for ideas and now get excited when the seed catalogs start showing up in our mailbox. Some may not consider it spectacular but to us it is peaceful and most importantly it is ours. We practically live out there all summer.

Every spring we return to fertilize, water and patch the dead and yellow spots created by the dogs. We know we're fighting a losing battle but by mid-summer the lawn is a lush green again. The neighbors must think I'm crazy the way I will roll in the cool grass with the pups climbing all over me.

Vacation is coming quickly and although it causes me a great deal of anxiety to prepare the house, dogs and petsitter for my absence, it will be a welcome sight to step off the plane and once again be surrounded by the intensity of all that color.