Slow Growth

It's been a blessing to have three weeks at the turn of the year, not with nothing to do (far from it), but with a total breakup of routine. Work gave everyone two four-day weekends in a row, and before that we were traveling, so it's been a while since we had a five-day workweek. It's the kind of timing that lets you set your own constraints, for the most part. You can pick your goals for the day and revise them as often or as whimsically as you like.

I didn't sit down and reassess my life at the cusp of the new year -- it's more of a constant process -- but I did have some time to think. I miss the bounty of summer, the light and warmth that are there for just soaking up, and the ease of getting outside, and staying outside, for hours at a time. Fall and winter brought major changes to our day-to-day life and perhaps it has taken some time to absorb them. Or perhaps winter just slows things down some for me. I would like to grow, write more, find more local foods and put down roots in our new town, but it's not happening as rapidly as it did when I started this blog.

On the other hand, I'm not fussing about the pace. Growth happens in cocoons, too. And in winter.

[Click for larger version]

Comments

[ccr in MA]

Oh, that ice photo is beautiful.

Good for you for accepting the pace you're at right now. That can be hard, but it's very important. It will come.

[samm]

I like your thought that growth happens in a cocoon. It does, doesn't it. I tend to feel cocooned this time of year, moreso in February, when weather can be brutal. I've learned to love and cherish those days when I don't have to (or can't!) leave the house. They don't happen terribly often, and only in winter, and I turn to my cosy home, a cup of tea, a book or knitting, and my pets, and forget the world outside. I'm sorry you're not feeling comfortable in your community, but perhaps that will improve with Spring and Summer. I hope so. samm

[Korinthe]

Oh, I'm sorry if I gave the impression that we're not comfortable here! Quite the opposite -- but it takes a while to learn a new place, just the same.

It wasn't even a far remove -- just on the other side of the farms I was shopping at last summer. :) That's part of why it doesn't feel the same; they've got little produce so I am trying to learn two new (family-owned and very good) grocery stores.

The knitting is going along gangbusters, too, thanks to winter :)