Report From PIA – November 24th
There are still many plants in the garden that I normally would have cut back long ago, but there they are, a testament to my procrastination. This morning, I decided that I’m glad that I haven’t cleared them out.
I like the colorful, messy mix of yellowing leaves, final flowers and oak leaves. Here, delay has been a good thing.
Later, on my way into the garden center, I passed by a corner where a local merchant has created a fall display. I’ve driven past this arrangement of pumpkins at least fifty times since it was installed, and each time I’d think, “I have to take a picture of that.”
This morning was no exception, except a block later I told myself to “Do it now!” so I slowed, turned, and drove around the block in order to stop and snap the photograph.
When I got home from work I decided to stay in this mode of action. My husband has been asking me to clean my stuff off of the desk in the kitchen for days, and I’ve been eyeing the Leaning Tower of Print in my bedroom for months. Do it now, I thought, and it all got done. (Note to self: write “take paper and magazines into recycling center” on the next Do It Now list.)
My last project was to put some winter décor in the birdbath outside. See, I’ve had an urn filled with assorted pinecones indoors for so long that the cones are beginning to compost right there on the hall table. My plan has been to move the best ones out to the birdbath, along with some moon shells and a string of pinecone lights.
As simple as this project sounds, it took at least ten trips to the basement to find the right extension cord, timer, and light string to replace the one that didn’t work. Over an hour later, my simple porch décor was finished.
I looked with satisfaction from the lit birdbath arrangement to the winding-down and riotous front garden, and understood that life has its rhythms. Sometimes, it’s the snap, snap, snap of things being accomplished…and other times it’s a slowing tempo that leads to discovery.
Here is how the leaf dotted, fading garden looked this morning. Splendid.
The Leaning Tower of Print, which I can say with satisfaction is no longer there.
Here's the birdbath with cones, shells and lights.
I love the contrast of the very textured pine cones and the smooth moon shells.
