Anyone still here? I don’t even remember the last time that I posted. The job is consuming me and I’m looking for reasons not to quit. There, I said it. It’s too many hours and I have no life. I don’t have time to do a single thing that I enjoy. It’s definitely taking a physical toll on me - sciatica, ankle issues, etc. BUT (and isn’t there always a but?) I’m stuffing money into my savings, I enjoy my lovely coworkers, and there is potential to do more things that I think I’d be good at…my displays are a hit, the children’s librarian is making noise about having me do some storytime activities, and I’m getting better at the things that I found daunting when I started. The library is a comfortable place for me, I just wish they’d cut me back to true part-time, 20 hours a week or less. I wanted a small job where I could meet people and do some good. I didn’t want to hand over all of my waking hours. Having said that, I should admit that I’ve had a lovely string of three days off. Mostly because I had the week from Hell with only Sunday off prior to that. I’m 60, I’m not built for long days and late nights anymore. Only a granny would consider working until 8 pm a “late night”. In my youth anything before midnight was considered early. Every night when I get off work my watch congratulates me for being active 9 out of 9 hours.
I don’t even want to do anything that feels good for nine hours, let alone stooping, lifting, walking, carrying, pushing carts, and maxing out my smile muscles. Something has to change but I can’t bring myself to be a quitter. I hate to quit something that I’m good at, but I hate missing out on my life even more.
Now that I’ve whined about that - what’s new with you? Tried any new recipes? Gone somewhere fun? Getting excited about the feel of SPRING in the air? I’m itching to poke around in the gardens. My tulips are all up and look exceptionally healthy, so we should have a burst of color soon. Robins have been singing to us and there’s a woodpecker making noise daily which is a sure sign of spring. When the males start drumming they’re claiming territory and looking for a Mrs. The birds and squirrels seem generally happier, like they’ve been waiting for those first sweet daffodils to appear and wake up the earth (maybe that was just me). Any way you slice it, Old Man Winter is packing his bags. He can be slow and stubborn about leaving, sometimes giving us a last blast, but he’s definitely departing. We’ll set our clocks forward on the 10th and it’s going to be so nice to leave work at 6:15 or so and enjoy a little daylight. I miss getting some sunshine during the day. During my lunch break I go down to the wharves by the Choptank River just so I can see some sky and soak up a little vitamin D. Turns out I am definitely solar powered.
In other spring news, I ORDERED A ROSE BUSH. That’s probably not big news to most folks, certainly not worthy of capital letters, but this one is special. I’ve wanted one for a while, couldn’t find it (at least not at a price I was willing to pay) and if we leave this house I’m going to dig it up and take it with me. It’s a Zephirine Drouhin rose. She’s a deep pink climbing rose, very fragrant, very hearty, will even thrive in shade (I’m guessing it might not bloom as much) and, best of all, it’s thornless!
She’s going to be planted in a sunny corner where she can climb all over my little porch nook. I’m so excited! Of course the picture above is a long way off for me. When mine arrives it will look like this…
Never say I’m not a dreamer. I’m positive that this is in my future.
Honestly, how could I resist this?
Description
Intoxicating Raspberry Fragrance
Introduced in 1868 and a favorite ever since, Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose is a romantic, fantastically fragrant, old-fashioned rose that is still one of the most popular climbers today. No modern rose has been able to exceed it for sheer performance, rich raspberry scent, and generous season-long bloom, and if you make Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose part of your landscape, you will treasure its beauty and generosity of bloom.
Peaking in spring and fall, the loose, double blossoms of vivid cerise-carmine provide outstanding mass effect. Each bloom is about 4 inches across, opening from a long, pointed bud and made up of 20 to 24 richly colored petals that are infused with a strong, evocative raspberry scent. Just one flower is a delight, so you can imagine what a vaseful looks and smells like.
This old French Bourbon rose grows vigorously to 15 to 20 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide and, remarkable for any rose, performs well in part shade. Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose is an excellent choice for north-facing walls and areas with little sunlight. Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose will continue to bloom in summer, but its heaviest showing will usually be in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall.
The rich, medium-green foliage (coppery-purple when young) is very mildew resistant, and the canes are thornless, making Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose great for planting where traffic is heavy or children are nearby. This classic, time-tested climbing rose is the perfect choice to train over a trellis or porch, or trim into a formal hedge. Plant in moist, well-drained, loamy soil.
I mean, what more could I ask for from a rose bush? Raise your hand if you think my optimism is setting me up for huge disappointment. I can’t help myself. It’s like my love affair with hydrangeas - they often break my heart but I can’t give up on them. I’m sure that Zephirine and I will become besties.
I have no other news to share because I can’t really talk to you about funny library moments/patrons. This town is too small for me to try to change names to protect the innocent - people would know. I doubt anyone around here knows I have a blog but I’d rather not chance angry villagers in my yard with torches. I suppose I could talk about the rude elevator repair guy who has been in the building for at least two weeks with no end in sight. Our elevator was due for a complete overhaul so that’s what’s happening. The foreman on the job is a Trumpy, rude, misogynistic jerk. I said what I said. It’s not just me, other employees who have dealt with him say the same. It’s something every day. Last Wednesday I was setting up my displays for the month of March and he started making noise about the Women’s History Month display. I gave him my steeliest gaze and told him that he is vastly outnumbered and to tread lightly. Then the jerk points at a book and said something along the lines of, “Why is that book there?” I saw what he was pointing at (Kamala Harris bio) but decided to make him say it. So I asked which book he meant, he muttered, “second shelf, far right”. I responded, “OH. THE VICE-PRESIDENT? That’s history.” accompanied by a look that dared him to say more. He walked off and I admit that I was surprised that he wasn’t dumb enough to be wearing $400 gold sneakers sold to him by a certain con man. My display was filled with books on amazing women - women in science, women in the arts, women in the military, women from all walks of life and political persuasions. The only thing that didn’t belong was a narrow-minded doofus, so I got rid of him. I can’t wait for the elevator work to be completed but I admit that I don’t want to be the first one to use it. He really doesn’t like us. It’s probably not just us, I get the feeling that he goes through life like that.
That went negative, didn’t it? From gushing about roses to wanting to squash a bug of a man. Oops. Speaking of men, Mickey is waiting for lunch and then I think we’re going to go poke around at the auction house. I’ll make salads for dinner and then do a little meal prep for the week ahead. I’m back at work tomorrow after some lovely days off, so I need to get myself mentally prepared. The Edgewaters came over this weekend and the grandgirl was quite entertaining - lots of playing, fort building, reading, and fun. It was nice to have that family time.
Alright, I’m outta’ here. I hope that this blog post finds you smack dab in the middle of a good day. I hope that you’re content, and that you’re taking care of yourself. Feed your body good food, feed your mind good thoughts, and treat your heart with tenderness.
Stay safe, stay well, spring forward!
XOXO,
Nancy