look, an update!

[red_lasbelin]

This daylight savings' thing combined with the weather has been kicking my ass. First it's cold, then it's warm, then it's cold again, plus with the clocks rolling back means I'm waking up in the morning to darkness again, which I wasn't a few weeks ago. Still, I'm hopefully optimistic for spring, and the warm weather and sunshine has made me more energetic. The downside of this is that restlessness has kicked in full force and I'm having a hard time focusing on day to day life in lieu of trying to figure out how to do different things, move out, move to another city - something, anything, lol. This has led to trying to figure out if I can do a quick trip to Iceland in the fall. We'll see. :D

I have made a small change to my living space though - I bought a plant.  I've never had one of my own, I've grown up in a family where plants were something that stayed outdoors unless they were hardy enough to survive my mother's orange thumb of death. So I have no experience with them, but I was struck by wanting something green and bright and St. Patrick's day is around the corner. My dad's quarter-Irish, and we always celebrate, plus my grandfather died on that day (14 years ago, so hard to believe), so there's a lot of sentiment and memories for St. Patrick's day.

It hasn't died yet!

I did take the plunge and run off to Tennessee for the poetry reading. I'm very glad I did. I love driving, I had my music and a new audiobook and the weather was great. The poetry reading itself was lovely, if a bit shorter than promised. It was really neat to hear her work in her own words and her own emphasis, and she was lovely to meet in person. Even signed my book and took a picture with me! Picture won't be included here, of course, as all copies managed to get me with my eyes shut! (Just my luck)

Clementine Von Radics has two poetry collections out, but As Often As Miracles is her first. It's also the book I swallowed when it arrived and then savored on subsquent read-throughs. Reminds me a bit of the Francis Bacon quote I've always loved: Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Her stuff just talks to me. Very passionate, grappling with a lot of stuff that's relateable and has a way with words. </plug> *G*

I've also been doing pretty good on my book reading goals. Trying to make headway on everything else.

Comments

[idleleaves.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the restlessness - it's just that time of year when the same old, same old becomes all but unbearable for a while, and the wildly cycling weather doesn't help, either.

PLANT. I like it! Here's to hoping it stays alive. >_>

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think it's the season, I think it's the long break after the winter and darkness and the hints of spring, warmth and light. (only to be cruelly ripped away from us a day or two later.)

I hope so too! I need to buy a proper pot for it and I've been reading about indirect sunlight and how not to over water your plants. Here's hoping. *crosses fingers*

[ilye-elf.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was wondering about this the other day. Really glad you went!

Clocks don't go forward here for another fortnight. It does my nut, this daylight savings, and even more so because it varies between countries.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I went too - thanks for the prod. Even the long drive was worth it, but that last hour at 1:00am was rough. Just so ready for home and bed. I was thinking of you and girlfriend-visiting!

The US is so big and there are different timezones for different sections, so for work, I have to double check time zones - I never remember, it throws it all off. Good luck to you when yours changes! It's a rough transition.

(Love Eddie Izzard!!)

[larienelengasse.livejournal.com]

God, the time change is kicking my ass too. Seriously. It's awesome having more daylight after work, but getting up in the dark SUCKS.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

So glad it's not only me! Shared misery, lol. Like you, I love coming home with more light, feels like I've got more time and energy in the evening, but that morning darkness is so not fun.

Thinking of you and all that's going in your life right now. You're one tough cookie. *hugs*

[minuial_nuwing]

Ooooo, is that actually a shamrock plant? I have one that I have had - or rather, a descendant of one I received - more than 20 years ago. They are eternal. *g* The poetry reading sounds like a wonderful trip, and the book itself looks intriguing.

I hate daylight savings time. Ugh.

**hugs**

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a shamrock plant, but it's not *technically* the traditional Irish shamrock in the clover family, apparently, it is oxalis, native to South America and Africa, but gets sold here in the states and called a shamrock plant around St. Patrick's day. Regardless, it is still quite lovely and reminiscent of shamrocks. (Check out the purple oxalis, it's stunning!) I've been doing my homework, lol. Is yours the clover variety? Mine will have to live life as a desk plant, just need to get it a nice pot.

(Agree with you 100 percent on daylight savings. This week seems to be starting out better, at least. *crosses fingers*)

[minuial_nuwing]

Mine looks like a cross between yours and the purple oxalis - the leaves are green on top and a violety kind of purple underneath. It gets spindly if I ignore it too long, or if the sunlight is too scarce, but straightens back out in no time.

It lives in a bowl on the counter in my laundry room. *g*

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Daylight savings time truly sucketh. You are not alone.

Lovely shamrock plant! Mine keeps coming up in the front of the house year after year. Hopefully yours will last as well.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

I hope so! I hope the orange thumb hasn't passed through the generations.

It's so nice to know I am not alone here. This week seems to be a little better, though. *crosses fingers*

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

That's a nice little plant. Will it flower?

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's an oxalis, and they have little white flowers. The leaves also sort of fold up at nighttime and open up during the day.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Plant needs a good, Irish name. And awww, it's in such good company :)

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

I need to think of one. (And yes, I knew you'd like that corner.)

It hadn't crossed my mind before, but... secret garden!!!!!!!! Nooooooooo....