Week 2

Winter is here; the sun has been hiding behind overcast skies for consecutive days. The temperatures hover around 40, with a chilly breeze that cuts through the warmest hoodie. Winter is a sad time for most Gardners. However, I love this time of year. It is a time for introspection, thought, and solitude. It is a time to dream and imagine all the good things to come. I enjoy the barren landscape's neutral tones and the deciduous trees' intricate structure. It appears nothing is happening, but the soil is moist and warm. This is when our perennials and hardy annuals grow roots and establish a solid foundation. I am happy and content with the slowness of Winter.

Week 1 recap
Compassion is an emotion I struggle to understand, and yet I hear it being used all the time; "Have compassion for yourself" or "For them as they go through this difficult time." I guess I don't understand what that means. I feel heartache or concern for another person going through a challenging situation. In this case, it was my dog. I woke up early last Thursday, motivated and ready to get to work. I hopped out of bed, showered, brushed my hair, and dressed before Selleck prepared to get up. Going on about my business like usual and ready to let the dog out for a bathroom break. But something was off; he bounced down the hallway, ran into walls, slipped, and fell two times on the way to the door. He urinated on the patio as he tried to reach the grass. It felt like my heart stopped; I was breathless and scared. I didn't know what to do or how to help. Was this that feeling of compassion I hear so much?

I quickly realized his back legs were weak and giving out. I called into work and took a personal day to spend the morning trying to find a vet clinic with an opening. Then, I needed to figure out how to get him to the appointment. We've been dealing with declining motion for some time. He couldn't go down the front stairs, so we went around the house. He can't ride in the truck because it's too high to jump in and out. We've been through the ladders and ramps, but none has helped. We've gotten him in my car with a boost, but he refuses help on the way out, sometimes hitting the ground. He has a harness, but he doesn't like that either. I thought to myself, maybe a crate on wheels. He always loved his kennel, and this would allow us to load him in and out of the car. So I went to three pet stores searching for a Create on Wheels for a 70-pound dog. Unfortunately, I did not find one in stock in the store. Of course, I could always order one, but that doesn't help with the urgency. In the end, we made it work with the harness. Got him the medicine he needed, a nail and hair trim around his paws, and left with a shopping list to out-fit our hardwood floors with rugs.

Now I understand what it means to have compassion for someone; I don't understand how this can help the situation.

Week 1 blooms:

• Ivory Feather
• Holly's

Week 1 recap:

• Take down Christmas decorations.
• Harvested and winterized eucalyptus.

Week 2 plans:

• Compile the 2023 garden notes.
• Organize photos.