Wednesday, March 10, 2010

"Mom always loved you best."

Do any of you remember that famous line Tommy Smothers used when he got into an on stage argument with his little brother Dick. This time of year I feel that way. Not about my mom or my brother and sister, but about Mother Nature and the gardeners in warmer climate zones. In the mornings, visiting my friend's blogs, I see photos of blooming crocus, daffodils, Lenten roses and sometimes annuals or even flowering trees. Looking out my own window I see snow and mud under a weeping sky the color of pewter.

In the northern states the daytime temperatures are getting into the 40's . The soil which is saturated from the melting snow turns to a quicksand like mire. Rural roads are closed to heavy vehicles because the underlying ground cannot support the weight and the pavement will crumble. When I kept horses here, I would walk behind the barns to fill the hay racks and my boots would be literally sucked from my feet. What a horrible sensation to stumble out of your boot and end up stocking footed in frigid mud two feet deep.


The deep snow is slowly melting from the garden beds.

Have I convinced you all that Mother Nature really does love warm climates best? After battling months of deep snow, treacherous ice, and brutal cold, it is this transition period that is hardest on us northern gardeners. The next month will seem like an eternity. We look with envy at the beautiful photos from southern gardens, we look outside at our own gardens and we think this doesn't seem fair.


The wild flower bed beneath the lilacs.

Yesterday, I walked down the drive looking at my garden. A lot of snow has melted in the last week so about half the garden is now visible. I would have liked to cut down some sedum stalks but didn't dare step off the pavement for fear of churning up mud and compacting the soil. Another month or more before I can start cutting back rose canes, removing dead foliage and thinking about moving plants. A minimum of two months before we dare to put out tender annuals.


Strawberries hidden under an insulating blanket of snow look pretty much the same as they did in November.

I'm hoping Mother Nature will relent a little this year and give us an early spring. It doesn't happen often but occasionally we will get unseasonably warm temperatures in April. Even in years when April seems almost perfect, we must be very careful. Nature has a way of playing cruel tricks in the north. A seventy degree week in late April spurs gardeners to rush their favorite annuals into the gardens. Then in May we get just one or two nights when the temperatures dip into the 20's and annuals and even the flower buds on shrubs are killed.

So back to the Smothers Brothers, I thought they were hilarious back in the 70's. I don't see them often anymore but still get a kick out of their off center humor. It helps to have a sense of humor if you are a northern gardener. If you can't laugh along with Mother Nature, she will surely drive you insane:)

I apologize for the snafu that caused this blog to show up on the blog rolls way ahead of the posting. Operator error:)

Everybody have a great week!

52 comments:

Pat said...

I too used to watch the Smothers Brothers. Tv was simple and fun then.
We also have been having temps around 40 durning the day...snow gone ! Time to look for spring flowers popping up.

Southern Lady said...

I understand your frustration. Just remember that in the middle of the summer when you have wonderful temperatures and moderate humidity, us southern gardeners will be admiring your garden posts while in misery in the humid, southern heat. This explains our love of iced tea! Have a wonderful day! Your spring is coming! Carla

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

I always loved the Smother's Brothers. Their brand of humor was so unique, and their political satire right on.

Southern Lady is right. By July, here in Central Texas, it is too hot to go out except in the early morning or late evening and risk being carried away by the mosquitoes! I am always so disheartened by the heat by then that I let the weeds take over and the garden must take care of it's self until late September when we have the first hints of cooler temps.

Glad you figured out the snafu--I was dying of couriosity over that title!

troutbirder said...

It's been in the back of my mind for weeks. Your said it perfectly, Marnie. I have nothing to add....

Gail said...

hey Marnie, She does seem to love us best right now...If you asked me in February I would have said "NO WAY~It's cold and there is no snow cover!" But soon your spring will come and we will be hot and mosquito bitten and thinking "Mother loved you best!" gail

oldcrow61 said...

Firefox crashes everytime I try to get your blog.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

One of the Smothers Bros were here in Vincennes last year for a function. I can't remember what it was for but I didn't get to go see him. I loved their show. They were considered so irreverant at the time. How tame they were compared to now days.

I can hear the longing in your voice regarding spring. Watching the snow melt away surely makes your longing worse. The rural roads around here are mess too.

Luckily it has been warm and dry. Most of my garden is dry. I have a few spots that are low and are damp longer than the rest of it. I have so much to do in the garden I hardly know where to start.

I saw your post playing peek a boo. Don't feel bad. I have done the same thing before. The crazy Blogger won't post my scheduled posts for some reason. I have to go back in and select post. Such is the blogging world. Cheers and I hope you at least have a sunshiny day. That way you can tell yourself it is warmer. ;)

tina said...

My sister and I had been looking for this post and it definitely had my curiosity piqued. I think you have a point-that in the winter Mother Nature loves warmer climes best, but come summer we will all be dying and wishing we lived up north by you. The summers in the north (speaking only of Maine and Michigan) are awesome! It'll be here soon. It's nice some plants are peaking out though.

ShySongbird said...

You certainly had us intrigued Marnie :) especially with a title like that.

Our snow has gone now thank goodness but we have had bitingly cold winds by day and sub zero temperatures by night. Like you we can get fooled into thinking Spring has arrived only to get some late frosts in May which damage new growth. I thought my ornamental Cherry was dying last year but it was late frost damage and eventually recovered. I'm sure that like me you will be pleasantly surprised at how much has been going on under that snow when it eventually clears.

Keep holding on Marnie, it will get better!

Marie said...

Your description of the boot-sucking mud made me giggle. Years ago, when I worked with horses, no amount of canned grain shaking would get them to come in across the muddy bog. Several times I ended up in the middle on one foot. Trying to keep my balance and retrive the boot 2 feet behind was a sight, I'm sure.

Balisha said...

I've been feeling the same way, Marnie. I did see a flock of robins today.
Balisha

April said...

The signs of Spring are everywhere - even here in the north. The days are lengthening, the snow is melting, the sun is stronger, the trumpeter swans are back and the crows are beginning their mating rituals. Soon we'll be picking pussy willows. Have a great rest of the week, and thanks for your visit.

beckie said...

Marnie, temp here today was at least 66 and it was wonderful. Felt almost tropical outside. But I am afraid Mother Nature is just teasing us. It will be that much harder to go back to the 30's and 40's.

Hang in there, our time will come and those southren gardens will be sweltering in the heat. Then, 'Mom" will love us best. :)

Phillip Oliver said...

I hope you get some warmer weather soon. I guess we are always wanting what we don't have. Down here, everybody wants snow (at least once or twice) and I know you have to be sick of it.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Marnie, I loved the Smothers Brothers.... Such great memories!!!!!

I hope your snow disappears soon and that spring comes to your house...

We're enjoying George's birthday trip.... It's been great. We're going home tomorrow ---so I will have lots of pictures to post...

Hugs,
Betsy

Rose said...

Marnie, you have stated so eloquently what all of us Northern gardeners have been feeling lately. I've been looking for any sign of crocuses or the snowdrops I planted last fall to no avail. Meanwhile others are showing daffodils! Today, though, turned out to be a beautiful day--almost 70! I had only a little time to pull back some leaves in part of the garden to discover I do have tulips and daffodils beginning to show. Hallelujah! Spring might come to us after all.

I loved the Smothers Brothers, too. I think they were ahead of their time with their political humor.

sweetbay said...

I have often had the thought that I do not know how gardeners in the North stand the winters. Parts of our summers can be miserable, but our climate still is not as inhibitive as cold winters, as there is always early mornings and evenings. Although I was just thinking today that I don't really like winter or summer. lol I'd prefer 60-80 degrees and sun by day and rain only at night.

Gayle said...

The Northwest is mother natures "golden child" this year. We have had years when we go for almost a month without seeing the sun, and the entire region gets grumpy! It's just your turn!

BeadedTail said...

Even though our flowers are blooming and we've had to mow our grass twice already, the sun doesn't shine very often so we're thinking Mother Nature likes other parts of the world best too! Hopefully full fledged Spring comes to all of us soon though!

Hope your father is doing better!

Dawn said...

Amen, well said Marnie, she is driving me insane with all this teasing of nice weather. We actually have less snow than you and I took a couple outside photos today, it felt good.

cchuff said...

I am with you in waiting for spring. Here in central Iowa, the snow is finally receding but now we are facing flooding along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. I have yet to see anything green popping up yet in my yard and am so hungry for the sight of color. Lots of tree limbs to clean up due to ice, but there is still to much snow and under that, a quagmire, to go out and start working on. Hurry up, Spring!

*Ulrike* said...

I do remember the Smothers Brothers too! I also remember the you don't fool with mother nature commercial! Hopefully the sun will be shinning soon for you and melt that snow so your strawberries and everything else will be happy!

Susie said...

Hopefully your snow will continue to melt away and you'll get some warmer temps.

My strawberries look like yours. I didn't know the cold/snow wouldn't set them back.

joey said...

Oh yes, the Smothers Brothers brings a laugh, Marnie. Wish I could share today with you ... temps hovering aroung 60º. Though still snow in the corners of my yard/gardens, hopefully, today it will all gone. Hang in there!

rosey said...

I get garden envy all the time when I see things like daffs blooming in TX. But think of all the stuff I get accomplished while I wait for the warm weather!

walk2write said...

I've experienced both the Illinois version of spring and the Southern one, and you can guess which one I like. But like everyone else down South has said, I'll agree that those northern summers are mighty appealing come July and August. That image of the boot-sucking mud made me laugh. My brother in Maine has told me about the fifth season there (mud) that usually lasts until summer begins in earnest.

Tammy said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day. I've been reading yours and trying to 'catch up' from the beginning. Great blog, and the pictures are just gorgeous. Down here in Missouri we went straight from Winter to Tornado Season, much to our dismay--lots of wind damage last night, none at the farm though. We did have about five days of lovely, lovely weather though. The crocus and daffs are starting to bloom and the grass really greened up after last nights gully washer.
Tammy

Skeeter said...

I loved the Smothers Brothers show! ah, what funny memories...

Okay, about Mother liking us best, I must agree with everyone else in the south on this one. She may like us now but come the middle of summer, she likes you more then us, lol. I will take your mild summers over our hot, sticky, steamy July, August and sometimes into late September! That is when I think of living up north, then I am soon reminded by the snow and cold in the winter. Just where is that perfect spot to live and garden anyway???

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Suprisingly, I don't feel that way. Maybe it's all the snowdrops blooming and witch hazel finally doing its thing, or maybe its the disappearance of the snow from most of the garden. It was 61F here yesterday afternoon, and it felt like spring finally. It was incredible.

Kerri said...

Your musings made me smile, Marnie. It does seem like we're the "lesser loved" when we're buried in snow, but these last several days have been beautiful...and today is 60º and glorious! I hope you're getting the same temps and sunshine.
I was outside this morning pulling some of last year's spent annuals and had to take my hat and coat off!
We still have plenty of snow on the ground but there are some glimpses of bare ground and spring bulbs poking through. And then there are SNOWDROPS! I found some blooming on Monday. What a thrill!
We'll be digging in the dirt soon...I hope :)

Sherri said...

Marnie-I do remember Tommy Smothers saying that line! I am dating myself-LOL! I had to laugh when you posted about the mud almost sucking your boots off your feet! That was me when I lived up North! One day I did walk right out of my boot and sunk up to my calf in mud! That wasn't fun! I have lived in the South now for 6 yrs (well June will be 6 yrs) and I do love the earlier Springs. I am one with the Lenten Roses bloom and the tree peony almost leafing. Sorry about the snow up North-better days are ahead! Take care!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Marnie, I know exactly what you mean! BUT think of it this way: warmer climate folks can't grow lilacs. AND some people already have mosquitoes! :)

P.S. I've always been tempted to say that to the sibling I don't have, LOL!

oldcrow61 said...

Hi Marnie, it appears the problem I was having with your blog is over. I don't know how often I tried to get here and as I mentioned, every time...bang...it all crashed. It seems fine so far. I too am hoping for an early spring. Can't wait to get out in the garden once again.

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

Hi Marnie, I think MN loves southern gardeners best until summer hits them. Then, it goes on and on and on kind like your winter. Hope your temperatures rise soon and you get to see your bulbs in bloom.~~Dee

Kathleen said...

Great analogy Marnie!! So funny too. To this day, I tell my oldest brother the same thing. I also know what you mean about the unpredictability of Mother Nature. It is much the same in Colorado. We can have nice days too then in an instant the snow will return and it will be wicked outside. I always feel the further along we get before that cruel twist, the better since it will warm back up faster. I'm hoping for an early spring too. Hang in there and have a good weekend. (at least it's encouraging your snow is melting, right?)

Anonymous said...

Poor Marnie. Hang on tight, sweetie, spring will arrive eventually! And just think, it will be all the sweeter for the anticipation. We've just emerged from the snow, and now the watch begins. Like you, I am quite envious of southern gardens! Someday, retirement will find us living in the south, believe me. This northern climate is for the birds!

missbreezysbox said...

Hi Marnie- Patience is a virtue. Here in Las Vegas, spring only lasts 2 weeks, then it's just hell. All blooms are done with after spring and plants hang on for dear life. Most things die. Enjoy the time it takes nature to develop your landscape under all that wet, mud and snow. You will be in ah when it arrives.

Kahshe Cottager said...

I have my fingers crossed for an early spring too - despite the fact that it will bring mosquitoes and black flies. I have noticed my strawberries greening up as well!

Things are working easier for me on your blog now - no more freezing and no problems leaving comments!! Yay!!

Yarrow said...

Spring is taking it's time coming to us too, and up until last week, we were deep in thick sticky mud.

It's nice to have the time to catch up with your blog, I've been away too long.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

I always love checking in on you.

You may be single now, but you're sure not alone (or BORED). Good for you!

All joys and love the butterflies,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Terra said...

Snow has its own pure white beauty, which I miss now that I live in California. Also when snow blankets your garden you can have a time of rest from garden work, which is nice. I grew up in Wisconsin, and the Smothers Brothers were very funny, and still are!

teresa said...

You are soooo right. Living in the north east is exactly as you describe. It's hard when you are anxious to be out there like all your southern friends, enjoying beautiful days and flowers.Oh well. Nothing we aren't used to. I do remember the smothers brothers. I think we aren't being favored here.

Unseen India Tours said...

Very Well Explained !! Worth reading post !!

A Wild Thing said...

And we live in the Nor'lunds...WHY...well, I've lived in Florida too, which I truly love, a gardeners paradise...'cept it is too hard to grow veggies...that's why we live in the Midwest, because of our love of gardening veggies and corn and tomaters...they just don't taste the same from the South.

When I moved back to Iowa, I left many of my indoor plants down there, being tropical, they flourished and I didn't have the heart to take them back to minimal, unnatural light in our winters. My mom says my 5 foot Norfolk pine is now 15 feet and loving it...soooo...

The Cedar River is now out of it's banks and the Mississippi is a risin', ever so slowly though. I don't live as close to the river as I used to, though if the levee broke, I might have lakefront property...ha!

I have loamy sand at the Chateau, so never a mud problem, it's a sand prairie with lots of cedar and tall grasses to hide me from the world. With all the rains we had last year, things grew so well, maybe again this year.

Been thinkin' about ya too and all the snow you guys got, we were lucky this year, I have none left in my yard and buds are pushing through everywhere...so guess I'll go play in the dirt...see ya!

sharon

garden girl said...

I hope your snow has melted by now Marnie. Ours was finally completely gone by midweek with last week's mild temperatures. Once the snow retreated, stuff started popping up like crazy in the garden.

Spring and warm weather will be here before we know it.

Randy said...

Now, I love snow, but past February I don't think I would care for it much. Hope you thaw out soon.

Interesting that you mentioned the sweet autumn because I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. It's just a much larger flower.

Unknown said...

Sending milder weather your way, Marnie. I got a big giggle out of your title, because I could hear the Smothers Brothers banter immediately.

Jan said...

Marnie, I 'know' that I left you a comment on this post! I specifically remember writing about my memory of the Smothers Brothers, and especially of how I totally understand why it doesn't seem fair that you are still stuck in snow even though we had a period of time when we had more of it! I even said I remember last year we had snow in March...so one can never really 'relax' and stop taking precautions against the snow and/or freezing temps until around April some time. I wonder what happened to the post?! Well, I came to leave a comment on the recent one and just happened to look back at this, so wanted to add what I wrote before. I was sure it had gone through. I'm glad I was able to re-post the comment;-)

Judy said...

I know what you mean about the snow finally fading away, although I know it is March, and we could still get several inches... But I have crocuses blooming, and the back yard is dry enough that I can start that beloved spring chore of every dog owner. You know, I am not sure that I want a life without the snows of winter. I think I must be crazy, as I have no interest in winter activities, like skating or skiing.

oldcrow61 said...

I know just what you mean. Those pictures could have been taken on my land right now. Oh well, not too long more to wait until the snow has all gone.

Anonymous said...

Как говорилось на Seexi.net Оженй сложно определится в сложившейся ситуации. Встречаюс с молоденьким человеком 1,5 года, и все у нас хорошо. У него своя квартира у меня своя, но болшую частй времени, да буквально все время мы проводим у меня. Каждый вечер он вначале заежает домой , а потом с ночовкой ко мне. Отпуска буквально каждый день проводим сообща, а в последствии каждый в свою сторону. Три месяца назад я завела диалог о вполне вероятности начатй житй сообща, в одной квартире. Увидела в его глазах испуг, он налепил кучу отмазок, мол строитй я его буду и все в таком духе. Дай мне время, мне нужно привыкнутй к етой мысли. А мне хочется определенности, потому как в данный момент нахожусй в подвешенном состоянии. Вот все пишут, не хочет житй, значит не любит, значит бросит и другую найдет. А он в последствии каждой ссоры первый бежит мерится. Правда за все время так ни разу я от него и не слышала что он меня любит.

Anonymous said...

Поняла что цинизм-здоровый подход и перестала злиться на мужчин.

[IMG]http://v7em.com/go/vnimanue.png[/IMG]