Thursday, May 2, 2013

the 42nd parallel


One day it's winter, I'm lethargic, depressed, and the next day it's spring and I am bursting with energy and ideas. I'm sure that yesterday there were no buds on the trees.


I'm leaving today for a 3-day weekend in the Catskills
and when I return will these lilies of the valley be blooming?



Is spring the time of bell-shaped blossoms?


The gaudy scent of viburnum washes away the grays.


Everywhere I look there is something new.


Spring comes late to the Catskills too.

It's the same latitude as Boston, 250 miles west--almost a straight line as the crow flies, to our house in the woods. The 42nd parallel north also passes through Wyoming, Corsica, Albania, Kosovo, Mongolia, North Korea...

The 42nd Parallel is the name of a John Dos Passos novel, which I've never read, but now plan to do so. It sounds ambitious, passionate.

And the new kitchen is finished. It was a big project. I'm nervous. I'll report next week.

Enjoy your weekend--I hope spring has found you.

Jen

17 comments:

  1. Hi Jen, I just checked, and Cleveland is about 41.5, so my built-in memory is about there with you. If I get any extra Spring energy, I'll have to direct into some major Spring cleaning, which in my case extends year-round.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    1. Cool--I'm intrigued by this whole latitude thing. Will do more investigating.

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  2. I know about the lethargy at the end of winter and the happiness when the sun comes out! So all in normal state! I am astonished at the nature you have there and I cannot believe you are at the same latitude as Corsica - now I can locate you much better! Enjoy your days at Catskill - spring hasn't found us exactly yet but it is trying... xxxx Christa

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    1. I'll have to post a map. So many of my commenters are from other countries--it would be fun to make a map with everyone on it.

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  3. Have a nice weekend. I'm eager to see your new kitchen!

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  4. Lucky you. And lucky us who will see the new kitchen....soon?

    Ah,spring. At long last sprig.

    xo Jane

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    1. I am indeed lucky. Kitchen pictures next week. Probably. Or maybe just a bunch of pictures of moss and water.

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  5. We all sound kind of silly giddy but it seems like we've waited so long...for your new kitchen!! Can't wait to see.

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    1. Right? Like we're all waking up--coming out from hibernation.

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  6. I googled our coordinates here in South Georgia - 31.7147° N, 83.2528° W . Not sure why but it brought to mind ... JIMMY BUFFETT - CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES LYRICS

    It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
    Nothing remains quite the same
    With all of our running and all of our cunning
    If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane

    Enjoy the Catskills, your new kitchen... And don't forget to laugh!

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  7. oh the flowers Jen are absolutely lovely!
    (my gardenia blossoms are gone by now but yes the smelled devine : )

    Enjoy your weekend at Catskills

    you can find me here when you have the time http://abouterleichda.blogspot.no/

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  8. The buds of lily of the valley are just vital and symbolic of spring.
    The news of your new kitchen sounds lovely, too!
    Have a nice weekend.

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  9. Those little birdies!!!! Report on the kitchen, please.

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  12. it's amazing what a difference sunshine and fresh green can cause. hope you had a most wonderful weekend xxx

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