AT HOME WITH KAYLA PRICE 1/9: Seasonality

“God help us in our struggle here,
Give us to see the reasons
For all our cares; and wisdom grant
To gladly take life’s seasons.”

– C.D. Barrett

  Much has been written about the topic of seasons, whether it is the seasons of life, growing seasons, or seasons of change.  The older I get, the more I lean into what each distinct season has to offer.

Winter can be so bleak, but it gives us a chance to focus on other things apart from our summer, fall or spring pursuits.  Instead of being outdoors and enjoying long days, winter forces us to stay inside more and do a human form of hibernation.  My family tends to go to bed earlier, eat at home more, and do more things at home.  I am learning to like it.

It seems to be in vogue to eat seasonally, which is mostly what our ancestors did.  I don’t mind it.  I purchased a tomato a couple of nights ago, and it was not meant for this season.  It lacked the intoxicating smell a good tomato should have.  And it lacked the flavor of a tomato, but I couldn’t imagine our wedge salads without some colorful diced tomato bits on them.

Sadly, I am only good at growing kale during the winter months, so I would starve if left to my own gardening devices.

With age I am learning to appreciate the changing of seasons and the rhythm of life the seasons bring.  Although I often say that I wish we could have spring all year round, I would probably grow bored with it and wish for some cold weather or a dusting of snow.  I am now beginning to think the best season is actually the changing from one season to the next.  The anticipation of what is to come is the real joy.

Although there is most of winter left to enjoy, now is the time to start planning for March 20…the first day of spring.  For me, I am thinking of seeds, plants, and plans for a garden.