Did you guys see that Punxsutawney Phil has decided we’re going to have six more weeks of winter? If anyone sees that groundhog, you tell him I’m looking for him!
It feels like we’ve already had two winters here in Kentucky—December with all the wind, and January with all the snow and ice. At this point, I can’t tell which way is up anymore. With Phoenix getting up around the same time Brian is going to bed, it’s been hard to find any kind of natural rhythm.
It’s the same thing every day: bottle, bottle, diaper change, fill the boiler, lunch…or was that breakfast? Fill heaters, get more diesel. How is it already dark?! Did I answer that email? Pay that bill? Poor Axel hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in months.
You might be wondering why I haven’t been down in the greenhouse to help shake off some of this cabin fever. Well, the days have been just warm enough to melt the top layer of snow, only for it to refreeze into ice overnight. The hill from the house to the greenhouse looks like one of those Olympic ski jump ramps, and I really don’t want to go sliding down it with Axel and Phoenix while Brian is trying to get a couple hours of sleep.
But today, I’m getting down there—even if I have to load up Taxi the Tractor (who’s currently living in my garage so she doesn’t freeze) and take the whole family with me!
I need some time with my plants and a little dirt under my fingernails. I’ll share some photos in our Facebook and Instagram stories if you need a little green therapy too.
Who else needs some green therapy?
Greetings,
Here in Chicagoland we listen to the rodent meteorological comments from Woodstock Willie ( Woodstock IL is where the movie GroundHog Day was filmed). And Willie did NOT see his shadow this year, suggesting an early spring. You are located only 360 miles from Willie vs 719 miles from Phil. It is logical for you to choose Willie’s report for 2026!
I cannot wait for outdoor green therapy! But for now I have Chicago indoor green therapy with my 200 cattleya orchids!
I love your blog stories. I have purchased many of your colocasias in the spring and in the fall they are moved to my winter home in Puerto Rico, where they can grow to their true gigantic size.
More importantly, it is wonderful and hopeful to see, that in the midst of so many nurseries going into retirement and closing in the last few years, there is a new generation of independent growers with passion and enthusiasm.
Me. Me me me ME! The iceman cameth here in Middle Tennessee, and I’m anxious to see what happened to the alocasias and colocasias I left in the ground, all mulched up. C’mon, Dark Star! Spread, Black Magic!
I’m sure it’s a pain for you to do these emails, what with the, ah, other things you’ve got. Let me rush to affirm you, though. Your emails continually remind me of things I want to order as spring draweth nigh, and my bank account awaits the onslaught. If you didn’t send these emails, I’m sure my attention would wander. Thank you.
I enjoy the emails, and eagerly look forward to March, when I will feel safe in ordering again. Thank you for being there.
Mac McAfee