"There is a sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper, but
I cannot name the disease; and it is caught
Of you that yet are well."
--Camillo's veiled warning to Polixenes; William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, 1.2--
I truly believe that winter is not just a season for some people. It characterizes their entire "play" upon this "stage" of life. One bad thing after another creates a habit of bitterness, which builds a pattern of despair, which produces a crop of self-righteousness, which rages against anything that clings--or lays a claim, even if undeserved--to righteousness. I almost fell for the trap. The palms rescued me.
Winter is past-spring is here! Time for rejoicing I think. The palm looks good. I'd love one in my garden. Sigh. Someday perhaps.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to see some buds and now we will be having winter weather through Wednesday which makes me feel sad..so I can understand being so happy with the palm...
ReplyDeleteWinter is still very much with us here. I think it makes spring the sweeter when it finally comes.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
The windmill palm is frost-proof, Tina. It's really the only one we can grow here that we can trust to recover from the occasional freezes that we get. The weatherman is calling for temps in the 30s at night this week, so I may be covering my tomatoes and peppers. I am rejoicing. The second planting of beans is coming up. The first time we planted too early (soil was too cold), and they didn't sprout.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, we're getting another blast of cold air this week too, though not quite as severe as you'll be getting. Hope your blast is short-lived.
Marnie, spring is sweet no matter how long delayed. We keep getting little tastes of winter this spring.
Glad that rescue came in time.
ReplyDeletePalm Sunday is a good time to review some of the hard life lessons that seem to stop us in our tracks like a killing frost. But I'm not sure about catching a disease from those who are "yet well". Unless, like me, you find the overly righteous difficult to tolerate.
ReplyDeleteWe miss winter here in south Florida ... I wonder the long-term effect that has on individuals, and a culture. I'm hardwired with a winter, so for me it's like an alien landscape in a way, although now I've made it my own.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance, I thought his was a Palmetto, but now I feel your Windmill Palm Is actually much neater and prettier than the Palmetto! I never knew about this palm until now...so thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter season!
Those palm leaves look like flames of Summer! Wonderful quote from the King of Medieval Lietrature's works!
ReplyDeleteIt comes every day, Dr. John. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWS, maybe the overly righteous ones forget they're supposed to be following The Man on the borrowed jackass. Hummer attitudes die hard and so does rage against The Man.
Mr. S, tell us more about the alien landscape! It's fascinating, your watershed, and I want to know more.
Julie, this particular palm is only about four feet tall and very slow growing. If you look closely at the trunk, you'll see the "hairy" texture that birds flock to at this time of the year. Apparently, it makes great nesting material.
Chandramouli, yeah, those flames of summer aren't too far away. I'll be finding something cool to write about soon enough.
Never cared much for palms myself. They're too spikey and harsh for the feminine gardener in me. But I've not seen every variety; perhaps there's one or more, besides the one you've pictured, that are alluring with a special softness and/or curvature. ;~)
ReplyDeleteMy "disease" named using eight words: beautiful things having much to do with flowers.
TC, I predict, though I'm not a believer in palmistry, that you will have great success with words regarding beautiful things like flowers. I've seen it before, and it will happen again.
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