Winter doldrums

"February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer."
-  Shirley Jackson, Raising Demons

Blech.  It's Tuesday, and last weekend seems a long time ago, and next weekend too far away to truly anticipate yet.  It's one of those days to just get through, even though you know in your heart you should appreciate the gift of another day and spend it wisely.  But it is COLD out and worse, the roads are slippery and it's snowing.  It's supposed to drop to -20 wind chill tonight and more snow is on the way. 

"Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the withered air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.
The sled and traveler stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, and housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm."
-  Ralph Waldo Emerson

At this point, what is keeping me going are the cheery arrival of garden catalogs.  Deep in the heart of a Midwestern winter, it's so wonderful to curl up after work with a cup of tea and a stack of catalogs that promise that spring will come once again, that sunshine and warmth will return and that my garden will once again be filled with blooms. 

My lilacs will fill the air with their amazing fragrance.

My iris (descendants from my dad's iris collection) will proudly bloom.

My roses will greet the sun.

But until the spring magic happens, a big thank you goes to White Flower Farm, whose spring catalog is keeping me from going snow crazy!