It was 60 and sunny on Monday and today it’s snowing with a windchill of 8.
The things we wish we could talk to our friends about and the things we actually talk about are separate buckets. Hell, they’re separate basements three cities apart.
But we can always compare weathers.
So, how’s the weather there?
We’ve started pepper seeds and some long-growing flowers inside so far (still 2 months till we can safely plant outside). That tells you something about how spring rolls in here. It’s always trying to catch you unawares.
When I moved (back) to Montana almost five years ago, I found that one thing I could consistently check was the weather in places where I’d previously lived. Why do we do that? We don’t have any laundry on the line over in Chicago or a freshly-washed car in Virginia. What does it matter where it’s hailing or snowing or if the wind is full of pollen?
Some odd things on my mind lately:
Why do we tell ourselves we have to “shut our brains down” before we go to sleep? I found out the hard way when I was working right up until bedtime last night and I was still mentally composing emails and writing drafts of articles in my head.
Does any normal person really make money on “land deals” these days? Or is that something that only oil barons were able to do? Where’s a parcel of land I could get cheap right before the railroad needs it to connect a new spur to San Antone?
I’m trying to read only female authors this year and so far it’s pretty easy going. I’m on pace to hit my goal of 25 books for the year (not much of a lofty goal, but a goal nonetheless).
What I’m reading/listening to/recommending:
The WWOZ New Orleans Music radio stream which has a lot of ragtime and they’re promoting live local (streamed) music lately since you can’t go to a live show in New Orleans right now. Find it at wwoz.org.
Just finished Ann Patchett’s new book The Dutch House, which I greatly enjoyed and read very quickly. I’ve never read any of her books. Did you know she owns and operates an independent bookstore in Nashville?
Are you buying books from Powell’s and other indie book stores when you can?
Currently reading, book two in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series by Deanna Raybourn. Some good Victorian era fun with a sassy lepidopterist and her roguish male friend. He has an eyepatch and a sweet tooth. She’s unconcerned with not having a chaperone. They solve crimes! She doesn’t care about being seen as promiscuous andohmygod it’s really a Miss Fisher’s Murder Mystery in disguise. WOW. Just realized that.
What I’m growing for/in the garden:
We started our first couple of trays of seeds indoors and I’m slowly plotting more.
I just started some peat pots with seeds for salad fixins’ like lettuce, radishes, and short carrots. After they get big enough I’ll put them in a windowbox for a few weeks and see what we can do.
We’re trying to not grow too many tomatoes this year (I say this every year and every year I end up with a tomato thicket).
We’re getting worms delivered today! (I’ll tell you more next time.)
This newsletter is a little bit of an exercise, and a little bit of a non sequitur share. I’ll try to do one about twice a month, but hey, I’m not getting graded.