At this time of year I rarely go into the garden except to work on it. Even if I intend just to visit the veg plot to pull rhubarb or deposit vegetable peelings in the compost bin, I invariably end up passing a weed or two that needs easing out, or a plant that needs staking.
Yesterday, however, on our ‘May Day’ Bank Holiday Monday I had a book with which I needed to make progress. A book that needs to be read by Thursday evening when we shall discuss it at reading group. A book that I only bought a the end of the week, before the busy weekend. Not a huge book, but one that required me to make a little time for it. John Updike’s ‘Run, Rabbit.’ (Why have I never read any Updike before?)
The plan had been to stay in bed with a cuppa after Cyclo went out cycling. That didn’t work as I had a call from a passing friend, asking if she could call in – of course she could. And just before lunch time another friend unexpectedly turned up, requiring resuscative coffee after a brisk cycle ride – and after the coffee I accompanied her on her way back into town, on my bike for the first time this year. Fantastic. Afterwards I was light-headed to say the least. And needing lunch.
It was after three before I sat in the reclining deck chair with cup of tea and my book. Oh, and the rest of my Easter chocolate – Dark Chocolate with Ginger. It was a lovely bright and breezy day, the clouds were scudding. Really scudding. But the wind was cold. Sitting in the garden reading, on a deck chair, covered in blankets, being blown about by the gusty wind, I felt as though I was on a cruise ship, heading somewhere else.
It was 6 pm before I gave in and came indoors, ready to start supper. And I had plucked not one weed from the garden, nor popped in one new plant. Nothing new had been staked. But I was two-thirds through the book.
Needless to say I looked as though I’d been dragged through a hedge backwards… curls awry and suntinged skin.
Boadicea's Chariot 
“I invariably end up passing a weed or two that needs easing out, or a plant that needs staking.”
Your weeds sound rather obliging, Nym, unlike some here which dig their heels in. Could you please send some cuttings? 🙂
… maybe that should be ‘teasing out’? The dandelions, docks and lords and ladies, plus the briony are all pests!
Just teasing. 🙂
🙂
Nice piece, Pseu – a timely reminder that not all is doom and gloom 🙂
PS. I prefer ‘blusterous,’ totally incorrect, I know, but one of my favourite words since my infant school teacher read us the story of the ‘blusterous’ day.
Ah, AA Milne. Now there’s a writer. 🙂
“Correct me if I am wrong,” he said, “but am I right in supposing that it is a very Blusterous day outside?” “Very,” said Piglet, who was quietly thawing his ears, and wishing that he was safely back in his own house.
“I thought so,” said O-wl. “It was on just such a blusterous day as this that my Uncle Robert, a portrait of whom you see upon the wall on your right, Piglet, while returning in the late forenoon from a– What’s that?”
🙂 I’m sure I annoyed my parents by wandering around for days using ‘blusterous,’ at every possible opportunity.
I remember a student teacher reading “Expotition to the North Pole” and writing ‘Expotition’ on the blackboard and laughing that one of the other teachers may think she couldn’t spell.
AA Milne always reminds me of my maternal G’ma who used to read the poetry and stories to us, with all the voices.
🙂 I’m doing that for my grandchildren.
PS. My granddaughter particularly likes, ‘Tut, tut, it looks like rain, Tut, tut, it looks like rain…’
“Shumbody get dat bear outta dere. He’s gummin’ up the whole proceedin’s!”
Another favourite bear, of course is Balloo from ‘Jungle Book’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QKUDa881zI&feature=related