Seed Packets and Other Heartening Things
I met Tammy and Ginger downtown yesterday for a girls morning out. While we were sitting at Macrina, the sun came out. I didn’t know how much I needed that. I wondered aloud to Yancey the other night if I might have a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)–the affliction lots of Puget Sounders get in the middle of winter. You, reader, mostly see my more sprightly self here, but Yancey’s expert opinion is that I’ve been a little down lately. Maybe it’s the Haiti earthquake. Or maybe it’s that Guantanamo isn’t likely to be closed anytime soon, or that 100,000 people in Washington state will lose their Basic Health if the governor’s budget passes. It’s strange to remember this time a year ago, right after Obama’s inauguration, when we were cavalierly throwing around words like “hope” and “change.” I still have hope, and I still believe change is possible, but all this dreary gray crap doesn’t help.
In the middle of SAD, there are some things that have made me glad this week.
Bellingham. The kids and I had a day with my mom and dad in Bellingham–the blessed Bagelry, Henderson’s Books, hanging out in my parents’ warm kitchen reading cookbooks and drinking champagne.
Seed packets. Xiao Yu says I can plant them after President’s Day. Radishes, spinach, carrots, and red kale. Really? Are we getting that close to spring? I’m ready for some Easter radishes.
Avocados. Can anyone tell me when avocado season is? Wikipedia says their season is now year-round, but they’ve sure gotten cheaper and better lately. In the morning, I’ve been squishing them onto toast with olive oil and aleppo pepper. Their beautiful bright green batters SAD up a bit.
New glasses. My old pair was the wrong prescription, and so scratched I could hardly see through them. Thanks to our new insurance through Yancey’s job, I am seeing clearly. So thankful.
Living. Yancey and I are going to hear the David Rawlings Machine with John next week. Listening to David and Gillian Welch together is heartbreaking–so deeply sad and lovely at the same time. And he’s one hell of a songwriter. This, from the tiny desk concert yesterday: It’s not a movie, no private screening/This method acting, I call it living. There’s no way around it. We’ve just got to do it, whether it’s gray or sunny; whether we’re SAD or glad. It’s called living.
I think this is the first time I am first to leave a comment on here, yeah me!! I could relate to this blog. Moving here I am still not entirely used to the grey. When the sun comes out I just pause for a moment and find the nearest sun spot in my house. One thing I am looking forward to is my first ever garden experience. I never attempted a garden Nevada although I wanted to somehow I knew if I couldn’t keep my house plants alive that the outside ones didn’t stand a chance. Anyway, I ordered books through B&N and a calendar too about gardening and I can’t wait to get planting and more importantly growing. It is a life long dream to be able to feed my family from my own garden.
Mmm… your avocado breakfast sounds like one made for champions!! Do they grow here??
Love this post and your new glasses.
Do you want to share seeds this spring? And can Xiao Yu be our official gardening mentor? : )
Oh, my goodness!! I can’t believe you were in Bellingham and did not call me, one of your biggest fans! As for avocados–according to Deborah Madison the season is NOW! (see Fine Cooking, current issue). Your toast looks better than Deborah’s photos. Another nugget of knowledge that might interest you–did you know that Michael Stern relieves stress by horseback riding?! Our Territorial seed order, the true harbinger of spring, arrived yesterday. We OAP’s (old-age pensioners) were like kids in a candy store. Can’t wait to get those peas in the ground!
The new specs make you look smart…..but you already are!
PS avocados are always in season…..much cheaper in the winter.
They are .99 a piece right now, and in the summer I pay 2.50 an avocado!
They just taste better in the summer for some reason!
love the new glass. thrilled about the concert. salivating over the avocados. and in general just wanting to squeeze you.
As a fellow NW-er, yes, these sunny days (or hours) are a relief! I too have been a bit, kind of ugh. I keep reminding my self spring is around the corner (and I look up when the sun sets for the month & that is inspiring to see a gain of a few minutes of light every day).
Oh, and I LOVE the Bagelry! And, my personal theory is that avocados always get really cheap right before the Super Bowl, but maybe that’s just a coincidence!
Remember your John Lennon glasses in high school? Those were cute
So are your new updated ones. And I think I have SAD too. And I too have an overwhelming love for avocados!
I totally 100% see Loretta in this picture of you
You always brighten my day by reminding me to appreciate the little things in your lovely little posts. Thanks.
LOVE your new glasses! so cute! i’ve been thinking seeds too…maybe time to put that greenhouse to use. do you think an avocado tree would grow there?
i love your new glasses!! they look fab on you! i’m so looking forward to spring…little blooms are in our garden already.
Love the glasses…..excited now for my new specs
Sunny today here in blaine and Bellingham so no SAD here- though I can totally relate! As for the Bagelry …I vote yes, yes, yes- still on my faves list. Thanks for your blog- it always brightens my day/week and your food ideas and recipes make my family love you too!
Hey I just came across this article that kinda backs up my connection of avocados and the Super Bowl! Last year, it was the biggest day of avocado consumption.
It says: “This Super Bowl Sunday, Americans are expected to devour 43.5 million pounds of avocados…that’s enough guacamole to cover Reliant Stadium’s football field over 7 feet deep, end zone to end zone. ”
The article also notes the Super Bowl coincides with the beginning of California’s avocado season, so there you go!
http://www.allbusiness.com/sports-recreation/sports-games-outdoor-recreation/5207539-1.html
Thank you, Maija! You really have cleared up a giant mystery for me. I’ve purchased even more avocados this week and have been eating them like they’re going out of style. But I’m not even a Super Bowl watcher
I thought you might be interested in becoming a Foodbuzz Featured Publisher…if you don’t know about it already. Check it out. You will get paid for the beauty you share with us =)
Speaking from a contact/glasses wearer for YEARS… I understand how good it feels to see. Glad you got some new glasses, you look adorable!