Here I've sat most of the winter 'waiting' for spring to arrive. And now 
it is April 9th: Sure enough, it's here! I don't know if spring somehow slips up on us as we grow older with age, or whether it just seems like winters are terribly cold, snowy and painfully long! I can remember as a child really enjoying winter months of ice skating, sledding, ice fishing and endless outdoor fun things. It was even better at Christmas with all the added fun and surprises. But now I see the coming winter months with a sense of dread and dislike! Even Christmas seems distant now, but then cherished as a child! It seems I could have spent more time this winter in planning and preparation. But, I must confess some plans got side-tracked or forgotten about. Now I find myself planning on a daily basis of what to do, what needs to be done, and what actually gets done. It seems like I've wasted three months (January, February & March) doing nothing. But deep down inside I know that's not true. There was a LOT of work done during those months: Just snow plowing alone was an almost daily job! (But we do not hold any records over Boston!) And there were indoor projects too; repairs, squeaky doors, plumbing updates, equipment maintenance, and a host of other things! So maybe I shouldn't beat myself up too badly.
As I look at my work schedule 
over the past 10 days I really am surprised at just how much I've accomplished. I had ordered and spread three tons of pea gravel for use in landscaping, pathways and mulching. I had cleared debris and assorted refuse from three gardens and burned it as a precautionary measure against overwintering insects. All three gardens have been roto-tilled. All iris beds have been cut back, cleared and checked for winter rot. The cellar has been cleaned of all winter produce including the last of potatoes, onions and carrots. Remaining potatoes are being used as seed; have been cut, cured and dusted with sulfur as a fungicide. (They were planted yesterday, April 8th.) Most vegetable seeds have been purchased for direct planting when soil temperature and other conditions are right. Spring strawberry plants were set yesterday, April 8th. All perennial beds have been cut back including mums, lilies and other tall perennials. Seven bundles of onion plants arrived today from Dixondale Farms in Texas, and the soil is way too wet for planting today. So now that I've patted myself on the back, I will become serious and note my ongoing jobs in the next paragraph.
I guess the point I am trying to make is this:
No matter how much I plan, it seems there is never enough time to get everything done in a given day. There are numerous jobs that require our total attention every day, and sometimes the only way to confront them is with a pencil and piece of paper to list every single item for a particular day: Then if it does not all get done, start over the next day, setting priorities of course. And surely there is always the weather: Too much rain, wind & cold can put a stop to all activity in the gardens and landscape. Such a day is occurring as I write with morning thunderstorms, severe weather watches and soggy garden soil which is much too wet for planting onions. Then there is always that terrible ingenious invention the smart phone: Even my e-mail follows me to the garden! The other point I make to myself is this: All Springtime activities related to yards and gardens can become a little overwhelming and may lead to hysteria of sorts if we do not plan and organize. I like the old fashioned method of pencil and paper (or keyboard & PC) if necessary. When my outdoor tasks become too tedious and un-enjoyable, then something is wrong! Gardening for me is a natural thing: It should be enjoyable and fun, never dull or routine!
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