While much of the country is getting icy arctic blasts, with lows like minus 50º, down here it’s like a spring day.  We’ve dodged many extreme weather bullets lately.  That’s what’s so deceptive about February in TN–masses of crocuses are in bloom, covered with bees, while tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, and iris shoots are appearing everywhere.  You think spring is just around the corner, but it’s only mid-winter.  There’s not much to be done outside right now, though you’re eager to get into it already.  The pandemic only amplifies the restlessness.  But it has also taught patience, or at least stoicism.

It may still be frigid out, but this is happening all over the yard.

It’s going to be a flower bonanza out there.  And the first of my indoor veg seedlings are coming up.  So it’s just a matter of time now until I come out of hibernation.  My spring sowing/tilling/transplanting schedule is already posted for the next four months.

I plan to “reforest” this place if it kills me, which it probably will, but at least I’ll die doing what has to be done!

In case you missed me, I’ve been under the weather, but well aware it could be much worse.  Here’s what you missed:

Our friendly neighborhood buzzard showed up to eat meat scraps, and were those cravens pissed!  They kept heckling the buzzard, who mostly ignored them.  It made for some good live TV, if not the greatest photography.

Today I planted my pepper and eggplant seeds indoors.  I used Annie’s Heirloom Seeds, and a new to me supplier, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.  I’m experimenting with making my own seed starter mixes.  I’m determined to get veggies to grow here.

Here is E’s latest greatest challah batch.

Lest I get any springy ideas, it’s cold and snowing again.  But hey, at least it’s not the extreme blizzard the rest of the country is under.  There are some advantages to living in E. TN…

…as long as you don’t go anywhere and catch COVID from all the maskless mobs crowding into everywhere, while more infectious strains are spreading.  Idiots.  How many more thousands have to die before it hits home?

But at least now we have some sane leaders on the job in DC.  Maybe vaccines will even get here eventually.  We’ve gotten good at waiting.

I haven’t written in a few days, simply due to a lack of: new political scandals to rant about(!), any garden news (it’s cold and wet out), or inspiration.  I’m preparing to start indoor veg seeds, as soon as my last seed order arrives, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, E has been concocting culinary creations, like this excellent fruit crumble pie, and these yummy breakfast croissants, from scratch.  I’ll need some serious gardening to work all this off.

Not to get too metaphorical, but the way winter strips away leafy façades and exposes the bare bones landscape in all its naked truth, reminds me of the way 2020 did the same to the evil ex-pres. and cronies.  It looks barren and bleak, with no redeeming qualities, but it’s an absolutely necessary transition from dormancy to rebirth.  It also reveals the environmental weaknesses and vulnerabilities that will need to be addressed come spring.  Things look ugly and unpromising now, but given time and work, the natural balance and order of things can be restored.  That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.

I don’t understand why people insist on chopping down the few tall trees they have left.  Worse, it’s the properties around us, eliminating the dwindling shade, protection, and bridges between shrinking habitats.  This endangers native species essential to environmental balance and health.  Then the damage is completed by planting non-native invasives that crowd out the plants and animals that belong here to keep that balance.

Along with climate change, we’re destroying our own human habitat.  Pretty shortsighted.  Frustrating as it is, I’m not giving up; if anything, I’m more determined to make up for habitat loss by planting as many critter-friendly native trees and plants as I can in the short time I have left.  What people do when I’m gone, I can’t control, but I can try to restore a small island for wild refugees of human demolition.

At least we now have a President and cabinet that believe in science and can address our crises decisively, without having to answer to the medieval Inquisition.  It’s unbelievable that we still have mobs of deniers, whether of climate change or coronavirus severity.  It’s a relief just to have civilized leaders again, who can speak openly and factually, and move ahead with solutions.

Here are some “cravens” in “their” tree, one of the few left.

I’m not gloating when I say it’s headed for 65º while much of the north is covered with snow.  Or am I?  I’ve actually been out puttering in the garden.  Crocuses (and the little blue “weeds”) continue to bloom and spread, and there was even a bee.

While I was at it, I filled most of my seed pots with starter mix, in preparation for germinating veggies soon.

I had to go in though, because they’re chainsawing trees down at a neighbor’s behind us, and it’s too depressing.  I’ll just have to plant more trees myself, to make up for some of the ravaged habitat.

As always, Misu spent the day lazing on a sunny windowsill.  She makes hard times look good.

I watched a daily press briefing by the new press sec Jen Psaki, and it was a total refreshing change.  Each question is answered respectfully, factually, and in depth. Can you imagine?

Unless you’re a political junkie, press briefings are typically boring and routine, as perhaps they should be, but compared to a self-important Barbie doll spewing propaganda, cutting off questions, and flouncing off, this was smart, informative, and inclusive.  Not only are crucial matters being addressed with concrete expedited strategies, but we the average people get to hear about it!  We’ve been so deprived of info and plans, just a regular briefing by intelligent people is like a data feast!

Misu sleeps through it all, as she should, not being a junkie.

What do you post about when The Nightmare on PA Ave. is almost in the rearview, and the virus is mutating into more contagious deadly strains?  More homey mundane trivia, of course!

Here is a thick fog the other day, and a colorful sunrise this morning.

Here’s an excellent pumpkin pie E made from scratch.

And here we have mushrooms coming up among ginger shoots, and orchids at sunrise.

It’s the small revelations that keep you going during strange, mutating times.

The difference is literally night and day.  One night you’re tossing and turning with anxiety and nightmares; the next morning you wake up to unaccustomed good news of normal, decent, competent leaders doing their jobs.  You’re not cringing at the latest atrocity or dereliction; you’re breathing in relief and optimism that finally we can resume desperately needed mitigation and recovery, maybe even progress.

Sad that it took such catastrophic events to make “normal” look so miraculous, and shake us back to sanity, but anyway, here we are.  I for one felt so much better overnight.  I’m getting more sleep and having fewer nightmares, and I don’t dread each new day.  I know I’m not alone.

True to his word, President Biden on Day 1 hit the ground running.  He signed a tall stack of executive orders dealing with crucial priorities and rolling back trump crap.  COVID mandates, vaccines, and relief, climate change, immigration and the hateful Wall, economic relief, racial justice, extending eviction/foreclosure moratoriums, etc. are just some of the many issues he got right to work on.  That’s on top of all the other transition processes that were obstructed and delayed.  What a contrast.

Not that vindictive idiots and conspirators are going away, but their extremist faction is like a chicken with its head cut off, now that their evil cult leader has “abandoned” them.  They’ve been exposed for what they are, a delusional rabble, without true leadership or power.  They will be held accountable and be brought to justice, as they should.

Imagine–Dr. Fauci and other experts can now get up and speak the facts openly, and reporters can ask legitimate questions freely and get answers, without fear of attack or insults or threats.  This used to be the routine status quo, not fascist propaganda and intimidation.  It will take a while to reacquaint ourselves with basic civil behavior.  It’s like our country has had Stockholm Syndrome for four years.

We’re nowhere near out of the woods yet, but the fog is clearing enough to find our way back.