Reality Check

It’s the dead of winter. Snow is falling, cold winds are blowing; there is ice wherever you want to walk. In the midst of this dull and often non-productive time, an amaryllis bulb that I’ve had for years is starting to bloom.
This blooming doesn’t happen every year. Because I don’t identify myself as a gardener, I don’t take its relatively poor performance personally. And because I have no expectations of the bulb, when it does bloom, I am surprised and amazed. This particular bulb also has some sentimental value for me, which makes the emergence of the occasional bloom even more delightful.
For some people, winter weather brings on the “sads.” Maybe that’s a result of the reduced light. But winter is also a time when it’s easy to let oneself become isolated. It’s uncomfortable or even unsafe to be out and about. Conversations often center around how miserable it is during this cold, dull weather. Continue reading →