grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

This Time of Year

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This time of year.

I love love love this time of year. This time of year right before Christmas. This time of year when the days are pale and cold, and the bundling up to go for a walk takes as long as the walk itself.

Yesterday, I read half a book and napped on the couch underneath blankets. Two warm schnauzers curled next to me. I felt a little under the weather, a little tired, a little like maybe I needed to hibernate the afternoon away. So I did. Dreaming away the cold. Sunday afternoon is good for that.Continue Reading

University of Arkansas: Decking the Halls at Christmastime

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University of Arkansas at Christmas

Yesterday, I spent some time walking around the University of Arkansas. During this almost-winter, end-of-semester, Christmas-is-a-coming season, campus has a completely different feel. The Hill is no longer packed with tailgate tents. Gone is the new fall semester excitement centering around game day. Now, students laden with backpacks and plugged into earbuds rush from here to there, briskly, because the morning is cold, and there’s somewhere to be. Campus beats at a raw, efficient pace. Let’s get ‘er done and get to Christmas or home or graduation or wherever.

Buildings are decked with boughs of holly and crowned with holiday wreaths.

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

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Planting Bulbs, Planting Hope

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Digging in the dirt is a favorite pastime of mine, but lately I’ve had no time to do it. Correction, I hadn’t made the time to do it. And I’d been moaning about how when spring arrives our yard will be so sad without our sprightly pink and orange tulip blossoms. Last summer after they bloomed, I dug them up and stored them in the garage. Nicely labeled and all. Last week, I saw them staring at me when I hoisted the tubs of Christmas decorations from the shelf.

Planting Bulbs, Planting Hope

Finally, I stopped moaning and started digging. Planting bulbs, planting hope. It felt good. So good that the next day, my whole body ached. I had to rake five bags of leaves to even get to the dirt.Continue Reading

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

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