The Vernal Equinox and Banana Bread

So, the first day of spring...

The term "spring" used to mean something, most especially, that it was warm enough for the beach again, for bad spring break decisions, for my annual fruity frozen drink party with requisite slip-n-slide, and the banishment of the cadaverous winter pallor. Of course, this was in Florida. These days, in the cold-never-ends north, I guess it means that the daffodils start to peek out out their beds, either unaware that snow is called for again next week or - as I like to believe - because they say "Fuck it, we're sick of this winter crap, too, so WE'RE BLOOMING NOW." It's certainly not beach weather, nor is it likely to be for months and months. This is why people go a little crazy this time of year. We are all at the limits of our patience, done with the snow shoveling, the flu, being trapped in the house, the muddy lawns, and the static.

More industrious people probably channel their aggression in healthier ways than I choose. Those houses are probably spotless. Perhaps they spent the winter canning things or knitting things or whatever. I tend to be a bit more rash. I'm ready to burn out the underbrush around here. Clear away the deadwood. Throw some shit out. Make some changes that survive beyond the next wave of dust bunnies or smudgy windows.

So, yeah, I'll finish filling the boxes for Goodwill that I started before my remodel and clear those out. I'm going to tear out the awful, DIY closet crap (courtesy of the previous homeowner) that fills the center bedroom - which will then be my writing cave, and unfortunately, still my closet as the same crazy-ass previous owners put a tub in the master bedroom closet. Yeah, you read that right. A tub. In the closet. 

And I may do some literal brush burning. I am no gardener and my yard has grown into an absolute mess. I'm feeling inclined to tear out some grass, lay down some pavers, yank out the weeds, trim back the trees, get a big ol' fire pit and burn some stuff up. Already sounds more fun than shredding my junk mail. I can get some Adirondack chairs and it'll be like a backyard expansion of the wine porch. Might still need parkas for a bit, but the fire ought to help ward off frostbite until summer.

So, the banana bread...

Snow forced yet another work-at-home day this week.  Some people probably buy bananas intending to make banana bread, but for me, it's what happens when I don't eat them fast enough. Overripe bananas make the best bread. Combine that with chopped walnuts from baking efforts over the holidays, and voila! Banana bread is clearing out the old stuff, just tastier. And the house smells amazing.

So, I'll be unloading some baggage, pruning the facebook list, and prioritizing, so some things can fall off my list. I need for some things to fall off my list. And if they don't want to go on their own, then I'll be breaking out the pruning shears. I need to make some room, so that I, too, can BLOOM NOW, no matter the weather.