Seasonal Disorder

 I'm still not used to fall. The light, the weather, what to wear on any given day.....all confuse me.

Thanks to Gus I still wake up early but instead of wandering the garden, coffee in one hand, hose in another, I ice my latte and go back to bed.

Here,with pillows propped behind me, I read on my IPad, starting with Gardenista, hitting up Instagram and then a few chapters of a book.

Finally the sun rises, or the skies brighten depending on the weather and then I walk outside where the garden appears to be as confused as I am.

Pansies, iris, cabbages, tomatoes, dahlias, roses, kale all unconcerned as to what season it is. The iris in October always surprises me.

October is also time to cut down the grapevine which totally engulfs my deck. I was several years (read never) behind in cutting down the vine. First I didn't know to do it and by the time I wised up I was unable to use my shoulder. This year I was motivated.

The silver lining in Nelda's moving, and there is always a silver lining, is that she had to get her little deck redone before putting her house on the market.

Our decks were put on at the same time in 2004. I have stained mine twice. Every spring I swear this is the year I'll get sh*t done,and every spring the grapevine gets ahead of my good intentions. So boards split, moss grows and the grapevine covers railing, step and spindle.

But once there were actual people next door, powerwashing and hauling wood into the yard I ran out into the rain, umbrella over my head, slippers on my feet and asked for help.

Then I grabbed the lopers and got to work. Vine cut down to main stem. This girl was on fire.

Two days later, I too, had a redone deck, cracked boards replaced, wood washed, wood stained and my dream come true, a trellis built for the grapevine to cover.

I told Steve he was my Prince Charming, he made my dreams come true.

I was inspired to stain my old bench blue and drag it up on the little deck. This is where the sun, and I, linger in the afternoon.

And now every time I open the back door I am happy.

Confused but happy.

xo J