IAVOM ~ Gingerly

Any January gardening as well as other activities were severely curtailed after I sustained a nasty muscular strain in the area around my shoulder blade. Not only did it cause great pain but it greatly affected quality of sleep. I spent a fortnight or so wandering around like a zombie and barely functioning. Over the last few days I'm delighted to say that matters are definitely improving. I'm still moving around somewhat gingerly as I don't want to risk any sort of relapse. In the meantime though there have been definite signs of things being on the move and the garden is very slowly edging it's way to longer and warmer days. In my vase are a couple of hamamelis or witch hazel stems. An unknown variety sold to me in 2019 as 'Foxy Lady' which it is most certainly not. The nursery concerned apologised but couldn't replace it with the desired witch hazel. However on the plus side I received a full refund and was allowed to keep the shrub. 

Thanks as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for providing the platform for us to get together to share our vases each week.

My enforced idleness has had some bonuses, one of which was reading Mary Keane's 'Diary Of A Keen Gardener' which I can thoroughly recommend. It's available from various bookshops and online sources. I have also listened to gardening podcasts but more of that another time. 

I'm looking forward to doing more now including removing some of the tat from perennials when we next have a relatively mild dry day. Another task at the top of the list is to decide which tomato varieties to order. I no longer grow tomatoes from seed but order plug plants each year. My friend who puts in the order has just reminded me that we just have a few days to get the order in so I need to decide imminently. I will probably end up going for the same variety as last year but I may live dangerously. Looking forward to seeing what it's in other vases later on today and I hope that everyone is staying clear of winter viruses and muscle woes.