So, where have I been for most of 2022? Certainly not here blogging. This year’s day to day agenda was anywhere but focused on creating blogging content. Here’s a recap of key events that claimed my time, energy and attention during the year.
The first quarter of 2022 started out okay with regard to blogging, despite dedicated therapy for a strained rotator cuff. I also had the honor of being asked to do the floral decor for my friend’s daughter’s October wedding. I was thrilled and said “yes” without hesitation.
Come April, all hell broke loose.
My beloved kitty, who was twenty-one years and five months old, passed away. At the same time, I strained a lumbar tendon. And then I got Covid. Mind you, this is all happening at the most demanding time of my work season. The lumbar issue tagged along all summer long. No matter how much physical therapy and stretching exercises I did, the discomfort would not fully go away. Physical pain certainly takes a toll on one’s energy and moral.
Thank goodness, mid summer had me holding steady, tending to my clients’ gardens as well as my own. My stamina wasn’t quite at an optimal 100%, but enough to keep me at task slaying weeds and primping plant material, including those for the wedding.
Before I knew it, summer was over, the school buses were back on the roads and the wedding was just weeks away. And then the wedding was just days away. And then it was here. Chaos ensued because the most torrential, out of left field rain storm let loose upon the very grounds of the ceremony that morning. Amazingly, everyone involved persevered with their preparations and the sun came out just in time for the bride and groom to say “I do”. Out of respect for the privacy of the bride’s family, I’m just posting a few photos of the work I did for this memorable day.
Halloween came and went, as did Thanksgiving, and the labor intensive tasks of emptying container plantings and cutting back garden beds had again taken a toll on my back. But like a good girl, I did my stretching exercises every day and popped the occasional anti-inflammatory pill on particularly bad days.
And just when the Christmas season approached, my vehicle was “gifted” diesel and/or bad gasoline from some gas station fill up. Total nightmare and costly fix. How could I possibly be in the mood for blogging? I really just wanted to go hibernate like the bears, but I needed to put up my decorations, go gift shopping and have a game plan for what I was going to bake. I’m actually quite proud of this “retired” artificial tree I repurposed into a wreath for my barn. The hornet’s nest is repurposed too – lol.
Alas….. Christmas arrives and my family is together at last. And all is calm. And merry. And bright.
Now, just a few more days to go, and I can bid this year farewell. I’m pooped.