leaning towards spring

the essential cold, rebirth, & spring retreats

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Deer antlers holding cobwebs and the dust of time. Years have passed and there they remain.

My grandfather was a hunter. In this shop, he built, created, painted, and retreated, often sitting in the chair with a cup of coffee in one hand, and his corn cob pipe in the other. When my husband and I moved here, I would often wander in at lunch to visit. He said he could hear me coming as the fork stirred around the stainless steel mixing bowl holding my salad. Memories and remnants from the past still linger here.

Once in awhile, I take an antler down for my dog — an honored treat that he gnaws on for nearly a year. A few of them have even become plant hangers and toilet paper holders in our house (yes, seriously). The rest of them remind me of Pappy every time I enter the shop.  I'm certain I'll leave them where he placed them, even as the rebirth process continues in this space.

Today I'm here doing my weekly check on the overwintering ferns, peppers, and dahlia tubers in the utility room where the temperature is maintained at about 40°F. I give them a little water and a few words of love as I leave.  Talk to your plants. I think it’s good for all of us.

On a warm day in February, I filled 8 pots with soil and sprinkled Bee Balm, Blue Vervain, Butterfly Weed, Mountain Mint, Milkweed, Motherwort, Nettles, and Wild Lettuce seeds on top. The pots are now protected under mesh on the north side of our house, and towering on the other side is the wall of stones from the old barn foundation.  I shared a bit on winter sowing in a previous entry. Some seeds absolutely need the cold to germinate. The cold is cleansing, and the plants know.  I love this. As usual, I can relate.

“Wintering is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximizing scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but it’s crucible.”

-Katherine May

The pup and I make our morning rounds.  The daffodils seem to be peeking through the soil more than I expected to see in February. The soil is stirring.

Our guests checked out of the Retreat House two days ago, and I’m just now getting around to making the beds with freshly laundered bedding.  This task is well timed with a phone call about a potential collaborative retreat.  I jot down notes in between sheet tucking.  The plans are still marinating, but I can feel good things coming.  More soon.

Speaking of offerings at Forest & Flowers Retreat… there’s an updated menu of experiences and amenities for solo stays or group experiences, along with personal retreat weekends coming this spring.

The Forsythia Retreat and Tulip Retreat are curated for private groups of 4 to 6 people. Each stay includes Retreat House accommodations and amenities, most meals, and 4 guided group workshops (guests’ choice): yoga, meditation, herbs, aromatherapy, flowers, reiki, creative workshops, forest bathing, and more. These guided retreats will be offered on a limited basis, and you can view details and upcoming dates here. I would love to meet you here.