Spring Cleaning
June 2, 2010, by Connie Stetson
Planting, cleaning, renewing and redoing, Connie Stetson’s got the fever only spring can bring
I have spent my Memorial Day weekend outside, in my garden, working like a sod farmer, weeding, mulching and feeding, because at long last it isn’t pouring down rain. I’m not complaining, mind you, I was born in Seattle, so extended periods of drizzles, drips and downpours are in my DNA. Also, I have lived in central California long enough to know that any moisture is good for the skin — HELLO, this is raisin country…‘nuf said. I have also today planted my tomatoes, peppers, herbs and flowers, got the fountain going and put up my hummingbird feeders. It’s really green, lush and pretty here right now, and I feel busy and happy.
In other spring cleaning news, the “Frock Swap” is coming next month, a fundraiser for our local yoga studio, Downtown Yoga. A great place for yoga, Pilates, and, oh—by the way, Acting 101, taught by my own little self. I love the Frock Swap, it’s an opportunity to cull my closets and drawers of gently used, badly bought items—clothing, shoes and bags—and send them out into the universe for re-sell; it makes me feel less ashamed for buying impulsively. The last Frock Swap bought the studio its outdoor sign. It’s also fun to see my poorly thought out buys strolling down the street fresh and new, looking much, much better on someone else.
I am dusting out the cobwebby corners of my cranium this spring, by turning off the TV and reading more—not So You Can Think You Can Dance, The Bachelorette, (gee, thanks Cathy), Burn Notice, or movies, of course, but every other stupid, distracting, brain-sucking, ass-expanding, vacuous piece of crap that I am currently staring at in a zombie-like trance: I’ll miss you All My Children. My reading start-off pick is Steig Larssen’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, then The Girl Who Played With Fire, and his third, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. I have a couple of books lined up after those that have been collecting dust on my bedside table. Has anyone read Edgar Sawtelle? Anyway, I have a bunch more that ought to take me through summer.
I am stoked to report that I have also, in an effort to be more mindful and spring-like, signed up for every other week deliveries of fresh, local organic, eggs and produce, and along with what I grow myself, will be creating some lovely and healthy meals.
Yup—spring cleaning. Out with old and in with the new. It’s a beautiful thing to open a window and stretch and breathe, and change and grow.
Okay—now where’s my Advil? All this gardening is giving me a backache.
June 2nd, 2010 at 6:58 am
I feel refreshed and energized after reading this–and a little competitive, which in my case is a good thing. Whatever gets me off my duff is helpful; I’m already making a list!
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 am
Connie, thank you for reminding us that Memorial Day, the “unofficial start of summer” is still in spring, which means I still have time to tackle that crazy cluttered closet and to enjoy my favorite season. Oh and speaking of closets, thanks for outing me and my “Bachelorette” obsession. Umm, it’s cultural research, yeah, that’s it.
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:35 am
Cathy Robin–Clean your closet!
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
Hey Conz, the weather turned unseasonably warm here in the Midwest and I have my tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, arugula etc., all bursting and blooming. The internecine warfare with the rabbits has begun too. Loved Steig Larssen’s first book. Isnt it sad he did not live to revel in his fame? A frock swap! Fabulous idea.
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:11 am
A truly sad story. Writing this amazing trilogy and not living to see them published. Very Ingmar Bergman….
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
This is the perfect chance to plug my new favorite past-time–doing mundane chores while listening to books on my iPod. And, you can download current fiction, classics, self-help and non-fiction from for free from netlibrary.com! Honestly, the toilets seem to clean themselves!
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I am useless at gardening so I am in awe of you for that. But I’m an expert reader! I actually read those Stieg Larssen books in French before they made it out here. They were all the rage in France when I last visited there. Great fun. And I recommend the movie, too. Nothing you’ve never seen before but really well done; plus hurry up and see it before Hollywood gets a hold of it. I read they’re remaking the already excellent Danish version…
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
connie i need you ovah heah!!! there are so many frickin post-it notes under my forearms right now that i just might burst into tears. and the piles on the floors and every surface of the house. i DO NOT live like this!!! remind me why i went into business when i have 2 wee ones?? can you say cosmo?
and netlibrary.com – oh my, i think that might change my world!! thanks beezersmom
June 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 pm
oh… i didn’t know that my happy faces would turn into pictures. no more of that nonsense.
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Well, who doesn’t love the happy face, Amelia?
June 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
I’ve read all the Stieg Larsson’s and Edgar Sawtelle and thought they were excellent. Add “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak and you won’t be sorry! Good luck with your plans for the summer!
June 4th, 2010 at 10:09 am
I actually planted some mint, but that is it for gardening. My next major spring cleaning is my closet which I have been saying now for the past 5 years. Edgar Sawtelle and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo were excellent. I agree with Carine, we must see the movie before Hollywood destroys it with its version. See you soon.
June 4th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hmmm..I planted mint, too, but I was thinking Mojito.
June 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Our winter (of my discontent) stayed too long. Froze
things after they bloomed etc. I had intended to
try a raised bed alas another time. But other things are
getting done and I am currently reading
“Dreaming in Hindi” fascinating. Took the rug
to get cleaned and cleaning the closets just in time
for those VRBO renters.
June 6th, 2010 at 7:34 am
One “normal” thing at time, M, really helps get your pins under you. I am thinking of you.
June 6th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Just read “The Solitude of Prime Numbers,” and reading “Let the Great World Spin.” The former, a solid, compelling read — the later, challenging but outstanding.
June 6th, 2010 at 8:03 am
By the way, I read “The Girl w/the Dragon Tatoo” and the Swedish movie version is great…did not love “Edgar Sawtelle,” but that’s just me.