The Wheel of the Year Turns toward spring and I’m over the moon happy about that. It felt like winter was never going to let go here in NE Ohio. In much of the US for that matter. But here we are. Time to get outside, clean up the mess winter left behind, plant things, eat fresh veggies, and make pretty things. May is gonna be super busy!
Goals for May – Personal
☼ Be Here Now – One of the things I’ve been trying to be more conscious of as I learn to live more fully in the present is which foods are in season. This helps me to eat foods as they were intended to be eaten. In a small way it reduces my footprint here on the earth as I’m not eating foods that have traveled hundreds of miles to my local store. Cookie and Kate share a great list of currently available foods along with a boat load of recipes.
☼ More Journaling – I like this list of journal prompts. Not that I keep a proper journal where I spill my guts. I do have a garden journal and a bullet journal though and this is a great list for all kinds of inspiration. Letter writing, art work, sketching, embroidery, and maybe even recipe ideas.
☼ Less Plastic – I know that there are people who give things up for Lent. However, seeing as that is not part of my spiritual practice I have chosen the past few years to give things up for Earth Day. One year it was buying bottled water for here at home, the next I gave up something else. I swear I knew what that was just a second ago! This year I’m fighting plastic. I’m determined to reduce the amount of plastic I bring home. You can join the folks over at Martha Stewart and give up plastic straws for a month if that is more your style.
☼ Move My Butt – I tend to forgo the treadmill when the weather warms up and I’m outside mowing, digging and planting. But my doctor really wants me to lose more weight (down 20 lbs so far this year) so I think I’m going to have to get back on that treadmill. At least 3 times a week. Even when I do work outside. Anyone up for a “Move Your Butt” challenge to keep me accountable?
Goals for May – Home & Garden
Thank goodness I got a good spring cleaning in last month because I’m going to be outside A LOT!
☼ Spin Yarn – The rabbits are blowing their coats so there will be several brushing sessions. I like to give them a little bunny massage and whisper, “Thank you for the fiber” when I finish brushing them. Followed by a little treat, of course. Brushing coats means new wool for spinning. Spinning the wool into yarn is great for unwinding at the end of the day. And since the weather is nicer I can do it outside!
☼ Plant the Plants – Our last frost date is around Mother’s Day in these parts. Even though many folks don’t plant anything until 1 June. They say that ol’ Mother Nature has burned them a few too many times to plant anything earlier. Being the eternal optimist that I am I already have stuff in the ground. I plan to have all of the cooler weather veg in the ground by 15 May. The squashes and pumpkins that take a long time to produce will be started in pots this week. A little late for me.
Inspiration for you – One of my favorite garden bloggers Margaret Roach publishes her list of monthly garden chores. Here is her list from May 2017. Just search “May Garden Chores” to get inspiration for May chores from past years.
☼ Dress It Up – I need to bring out the wind chimes, tables, chairs and other garden art items and get them set about. My husband loves the hollow bamboo wind chimes I got for Mother’s Day last year. I like to put them outside his office window. But now his office is in the basement now so I’m not sure where I will put them this year. I’ll have to give that one a think.
- Put in brick patio by garden
- Get garden up and running
- Finishing building and filling out herb beds
- Weed and mulch flower beds
Goals for May – Business
☼ Be a Better Blogger – As you may have noticed I’ve gotten my writing mojo back. Thank goodness! It’s only been about 3 years since it went away with that stoopid cancer diagnosis and all of the craziness that followed on its’ heels. Anyway, I want to be more focused on seeing this as a business rather than a hobby. A very expensive hobby.
☼ Sell Art – I want to vend at at least one art show this fall or winter season. It’s been AGES since I did a show and I want to get back out there. In order to do that I need to plan out what I’m going to make and sell NOW. I’ll keep you posted on that.
☼ More Freelance Work – I’ve given up my VA (virtual assistant) clients after realizing my heart just isn’t into keeping up with the constant changes that come every other day with social media. So to make up for that loss of income I’ll be looking for another form of freelance marketing or design gig. Maybe more paid writing? Wish me luck!
Well, I’m sure I have other things I need to get to but they aren’t coming to mind right now. Isn’t that the way it goes? Besides, I don’t want to talk your eyeballs off.
