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Last Updated: Dec 12, 2008 - 4:54:39 PM |
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Susie Turnbull
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As I’m writing this, I’m contemplating putting the flannel sheets on my bed. There’s a part of me that thinks it’s way too early, yet that part of me that hates crawling into a bed with cold sheets is really whining. I’ll probably give in. It seems unseasonably cold, but I was absolutely frozen all last winter and I’m not sure I completely thawed this summer since it wasn’t very hot, so it might not be nearly as cold right now as I think it is. Either way, I’m afraid we’re in for another really long winter.
The strange weather seems to have had an effect on the landscape as well. Maybe there’s another reason for the incredible fields of yellow I’m seeing---I’m not an expert in horticulture---all I know is that I nearly drove off the road the other day on my way to work on my house in Belle Plaine while trying to figure out what this big patch of yellow was. It was too early for soybeans, and besides, it was way too bright. I’m told it’s ragweed, but whatever effect it may have on my sinuses, it’s gorgeous. As you drive north (northwest?) on Hwy 212, somewhere off to a distant right down by the river sits a perfect square of intense yellow.
Fall usually brings interesting ditch plants anyway, but this year I’ve also noticed giant patches of yellow flowers along all the sides of the roads as well as the big tufts of what my mom and I always called Pampas grass until last year when we figured out it wasn’t exactly the right name for it. The grass makes me wish I carried scissors or a plant trimmer with me everywhere, the yellow flowers (I have no idea what they are, but they make the drives a lot more interesting) make me wonder why I don’t carry my camera with me everywhere. I can’t remember seeing these flowers (weeds, probably) any other year, so I can only assume they are some sort of oddity due to either the rain or the low temperatures.
I know I go on about the beauty of Iowa a lot. I can’t help it. Maryland was pretty, but the city sure wasn’t. I came back to Iowa every summer for a visit, and I would be stunned speechless by the beauty of the Mississippi river valley as soon as I passed through Davenport. I can even remember thinking to myself once that I didn’t remember it being so beautiful before. The sky is an intense blue here, whereas it’s more of a dull grey in Maryland, even by the ocean. Here we have green hills, red barns, incredible sunsets. It’s funny how your perception of things changes when they’re no longer the bane of your existence.
Or maybe the issue is I’m easily entertained. A friend didn’t believe me once when I told him I never get bored. Honestly, I don’t. Boredom is a completely foreign concept to me. There’s too much to see—and boy do I look.
My house in Belle Plaine has a fantastic view from the back. We decided one day it was about five miles worth of land we were viewing, and nestled in the middle of it all is a farmstead worthy of children’s picture books. I could sit on the back steps and gaze all day if I didn’t have walls to paint. I’m this way at auctions in the country as well. In the middle of all the running, answering questions, and keeping up with the auctioneers that come along with clerking, I always stop at some point and admire the view. It takes the edge off and allows me a quick moment to breathe deep and relax so I don’t bite off any heads. (I’ve still chewed occasionally. It’s not a fail safe solution, but I recommend it anyway.)
I assume my being easily amused is most likely a product of an artist’s mind than anything else. It used to take me over a half an hour to walk home when I was in elementary school. Everything is fascinating for an artist. Every crack in the sidewalk, every leaf on the ground, every house or car---everything is a potential work of art.
So under my recommendation, when you’re driving to work in the morning, stressing about how much it just cost to fill up your gas tank, stop worrying and take a look around. Gaze at those giant fields of yellow, notice the flowers on the side of the road and the grazing cows instead of talking on the phone. Drink some coffee, listen to the music, and watch the birds fly (but try not to drive off the road). Hopefully you’ll get to work feeling a little more relaxed.
© Copyright 2008 by The East Iowa Herald
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Skies: CloudyTemperature: 27F -3CDewpoint: 19F -7CRelative Humidity: 72%Wind: S at 3m - 5kBarometric Pressure: 29.59SUpdated: 02:17:17 PM