Primrose & Polyanthus

This is my 5th January in Oregon.
I don't find the weather to be as difficult as I anticipated.
Before the move I had heard tales of the dreary, gloomy, gray skies of Oregon.
Some even shared stories of deep depressing weather for months on end with no glimmer of sunshine.

After hearing the tales and watching the weather reports from a distance,
I had strong reservations about moving to the Pacific Northwest.
I am one who struggles with seasonal feelings of depression, yet in spite of the stories, reports, and concerns,
I am liking this place.

Some people might say it took me too long to adapt and adjust to our new surroundings, but
I have come around, finally.
For me, it just takes time.

I can say today
(even after a week of dreary, rainy, cloudy, overcast skies)

I prefer the weather here in the Willamette Valley to that of the plains in Nebraska.

What I appreciate most about living here is the continual blossom of colors. 
This is a perfect time of year for primroses.
So yesterday while making a stop for groceries I decided to treat myself to some flowers. 
I don't recall seeing a primrose before moving here.
I certainly wouldn't see large amounts of flowers on the sidewalk outside the store enticing me to buy them.  Finding primroses or polyanthus this time of year is a common occurrence here.

The past week has been rainy, and more rain is expected through the early part of next week.
However the temperature remains fairly mild and I have new flowers I can plant.

I think what used to bring me down in the winter months in the plains was the bitter cold.
The kind of cold that keeps you inside, cooped up, and huddled up by a warm fire.
On an occasional snowy night I do miss that.
But when you are going on your 63rd day (or more) of temps below freezing and no one wants to tromp through the 12 inches of snow to bring more firewood in the house, it gets old.
I think I used to deal more with 'cabin fever' than seasonal depression.

We get enough peeks at the sun to make me look forward to spring and summer.

And it is easier to feel cheery when you are trying to select the color of primrose you want to plant this January.

 I think of my loved ones back home who are taking turns shoveling snow, fetching firewood,

and heating more hot cocoa trying to stay warm.

I wish I could join them for a cozy night or two by the fire where we have nothing more to do other than catch up on life, share stories, and plan the camping trips we will take when summer comes.

Yes, I think just a few nights would be perfect ...
before it would be my turn to gather more firewood.



Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me

When way closes, way will open

I find myself in the wee hours of the morning unwinding and preparing to sleep on a camping cot in the apartment of child #4.
My daughter is preparing to move south to the Bay area about 12 hours from here.
She has a tendency to be a bit of a sentimental pack rat.
Nearly 6 months ago, when I learned this move would be a possibility I mentioned she should 'purge' some belongings.
We have talked and danced around the topic of cleaning out. We have even joked about her boarder line similarities to the program on cable titled, Hoarders.
I told her I would help her sort, clean, & pack if she needed it.


A few days ago she called.
However, we are no longer are months away from her move.
She is down to a few weeks left.


So I am staying at her place tonight.
I think we've accomplished quite a bit. At least, She is thrilled with the progress we are making.
I, on the other hand, am nervous. I am concerned we will not get the tasks ahead completed in time.
Hence the late night, 2:30am blogging.


I am trying to embrace this idea of 'When way closes, Way opens.'
Being unemployed for a year now seems impossible.
Over 12 months have passed and I struggle with understanding what have I accomplished?
What have I contributed to the family?
What have I cost the family?
Is there more I could/should be doing financially?
...and so many other questions...


I have asked myself multiple times if I am missing out on important opportunities.
I have periodically looked for a new job.
I have considered if leaving my former job was the right thing to do.
I have thought back to what I have learned in previous jobs and,
wondered if I learned all I could,
wondered if i learned everything I needed to learn when working,
wondered where the new year was leading me.
But as I picked up a book I read last January I was reminded, I don't have answers and that's okay.


"When 'way' closes,
'Way' opens."


The 'way' that has opened ahead enables me to take the time to help sort, clean, recycle, toss out and most importantly spend time with adult children I would not have found other wise.


Oh, and we managed to squeeze in a bit of time for fun as well!
Good night all.
Or perhaps I should say,
Good Morning!



- Posted by DWNTWN

Location:SW Columbia St,Portland,United States