I live in a pretty nice climate, although it rains and drizzles a lot! (western Washington state). Today the temperature was around 50 and raining off and on.

I found myself in a very strange mood and it took most of the day to figure out that I am just very, very antsy to have spring get here!! Then I got to thinking about folks in other parts of the country who have snow and howling winds, and sub zero temperatures....what kind of weird moods are those folks in??!!

So I ask you: What do you do when you get cabin fever and want to get outside in just the worst way? Does starting seedlings on your windowsill help? Or??

Your answers would be much appreciated! I am tending toward shoving massive amounts of carbohydrates into my body and would love some alternative therapy!!

Thanks!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), February 21, 2000

Answers

starting seedlings in a window helps, using full spectrum light is better yet. I got up to two hundred flats one year trying to make spring happen. the best thing is bundle up and go out anyway. we still have a foot and a half of snow in our part of eastern WA.

-- quin (sam1@transport.com), February 21, 2000.

We still have snow, but not for long as rain is on the way. We're sorting through the seeds and deciding what we need to get yet. The kids are planning their plots, they'll be doing square-foot gardening for the first time this year. We don't start most seeds until next month. I guess I'm not in such a big hurry for the spring rush, although I LOVE gardening, but we're plenty busy with lambs & kids (the goat kind). And we just came home from the 4H meeting tonight with a new baby bunny! Some years I can't wait to get going though, and starting seeds indoors does help. The soil smells sooo good. We also go to the home show in the nearest large city, they always have a garden section with real grass and spring flowers. I've also been known to spend entirely to much time sniffing the hyacinths at the grocery store. I always buy daffodils for a vase too. Hope this helps! Our groundhogs didn't see their shadow, so we're hoping for an early spring, by the way. Maybe that makes a difference.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), February 21, 2000.

We've been extremely lucky this year, as it really has felt like spring for most of Feb. Sunny and warm. Can't tell if it's really unnatural, or just feels that way because we lived in a cold pocket down the hill for twenty odd years, without any sun for much of the winter.

When we lived "down" there, and got the no-sun blues, we would sometimes head down to the tropics, fill up on sun and margaritas, then return. Flights to Mexico aren't that expensive, sometimes, and even further south can be relatively cheap. If you stay down there long enough, and live like a native, you won't spend all that much, either.

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), February 22, 2000.

The same weather as Jumpoff Joe, he lives about 15 miles south of here. We have kept real busy getting the gardens ready for the REAL spring when it comes, in the mean time, the peas, beets, radishes and such are in.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.net), February 22, 2000.

50 degrees!! My God, you are in the balmy south! We in Maine are estatic because the temps are above freezing today! I just checked, and it's 34. Wonderful! I start a lot of plants indoors. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and a few others. Of course, my planting date is still a ways off - usually 1 April. However, whenever you start, remember that a relatively high temp is needed for germination. On top of the refrigerator is usually good. Once plants are up, the emphasis shifts to sufficient light, although temps are still important. If you have good south exposure, a window will work. Remember to rotate the plants. Grow lights also work, and 14 hours a day seems to work for me. Many people have failed at this for one reason: They didn't keep the plants close enough to the lights (or is it the other way around?) Anyway, the commercial "grow" lights don't seem to be worth the cost to me, as regular flourescents seem to work, BUT you MUST keep the lights within 2" (really, 2 inches) of the plants. Just don't start things too early. 6 weeks before setting them outside is the max for me. Good Luck!

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), February 22, 2000.

Funny you should ask, Sheepish. I live in Minnesota, and I like to pretend that Spring starts whenever I need it to start. It is about 40 deg F. today, and the kids and I were talking about Spring over oatmeal this morning. I commented that I could see ground on the way to the barn, and the snow had melted enough that I fell through instead of walking over the ice crust. I did chores w/o a coat, and the faucet outside was thawed-out, so I didn't have to come into the house (for once) to get water for the animals.

I have made lists of the seeds that I need to order, and I will do a trial germination of the seeds that I saved out from last year's garden. Pretty soon I will draw on paper the blueprint of my garden, and compare to next year to be sure I have rotated crops and allowed for successive plantings.

If this weather keeps up, I can start cleaning out the barn, putting all the hay and straw and pine bedding onto the garden, to be tilled under after the ground thaws. (mid April)

I ordered my pullets to arrive early (March) to keep this Spring fever going. I will brood them in a kiddie pool in the basement for a while.

I am trying to finish up the quilt I started this Winter, since I probably won't pick it up again during the glory months.

I forced myself to sort out the closet of junk, the drawers of junk, and all four of the kids' closets. I won't be concentrating on the inside of the house once the snow is out. I packed away the spare snowpants, spare coats, and three bags of things to give to the thrift shop that none of my kids will be able to use again.

I went outside and picked up the yard. The dogs had dragged things out of the garage and torn open trash bags, etc. during the Winter, and it took about 45 min. to pick it all up. I ran out of split wood for the woodstove, so a few days ago I had to scrounge around for used and crappy dimensional wood and cut them to 2' lengths; with a handsaw.

The kids' tire swing fell down, so I will put that back up. Depending on the wind that day, that could be a project.

I put that second coat of paint on.

I gave all the kids a haircut.

I made a list of outdoor projects, and put them in order of the least enjoyable. I will do the least enjoyable one first, and the other ones will be fun.

Washington is lovely, so I hear. My best friend, from Minnesota, who lives in Japan, has chosen to relocate to Washington when she returns to the U.S.

If your body and mind need to go outside, get out there! Put on some layers and take a long walk. Keep your toes warm and you'll be plenty warm after 10 min.

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), February 22, 2000.

Deep in the bowels of Lancaster County,PA it is in the 20's at night and was actually warm today at around 48..I'm plain tired of it already and it isn't even March yet.My husband says to tell you guys the truth..I spend my time complaining about it...Untrue !!!!!Last year, which was warmer, I got so tired of Winter that I planted pole beans in my kitchen in Feb, not realizing they would grow so darn quickly and not get planted until June anyway..oops..another failed attempt at becomming Earth Mother.Now I know better, and our Amish friends are still talking about seeing my pole beans reach the ceiling sometime in April.Seriously, these long cold days are hard on just about everybody, so we go to the library and get out all kinds of books to plan what we will do when the weather is warmer, make lists of all of the stuff that needs to be done, and then go buy the items we need while they are still out of season and therefore, cheaper.In March, I always go through the house and find stuff that we can unload at a Spring yard sale, or donate somewhere..we cuddle more,and with this year's oil prices, are cuddling alot more.Winter doldrums come every year in this climate..I think February is the worst, but the grass is always greener...one of our sons lives in Alabama now and whines about the lack of deep snows to trudge along in....go figure.

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), February 22, 2000.

All parts of the country heard from! I love it. Here in NY, 40m north of NYC, we still have lots of snow on the ground. I moved to this house in late spring, so am enjoying getting out on the property 3+ acres and exploring the 'naked' woods with the dog(no ticks or poison ivy) Cut some flowering branches to force, decided on a spot for a shade garden, found an owl pellet! When it's really, really too nasty to go out, I 'chat' with you, and others-clean out junk drawers (we all have them!) and try to get all those necessary chores done, cause when it's finally nice weather-I'm out till the snow flies again!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), February 22, 2000.

We live in far northwestern Wisconsin. I so look forward to the winter. It's the only time I HAVE the time to read, look at seed catalogs, plan the next year's garden, try to improve my spinning, and work on the inside of our very infinished house. "Do-it-yourself" has new meaning for me these days since we are doing it all ourselves. That means I sheetrock between meals, or put in a light fixture, or like I did last week, build a window frame to look like old-time woodwork. I can't imagine being bored. Today I went to town for groceries, miscellaneous, and fabric to finish the quilt my grandmother started in about 1945! Procrastination must run in my family, or maybe she was just interested in too many things too!! My advice: if you need to get outside-just do it. The fresh air will make you feel great. Happy spring.

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), February 22, 2000.

Wow, 48F! Such warmth! Here in the North Idaho mountains it's still frigid and we have 4feet of snow in the yard. Yep, it's pretty depressing to look at the tiny chicken coop buried in snow. Until, that is, the first morning when I step outside and feel the warmth of the sun, higher in the sky -- spring has begun! Even with the frigidly cold temps and 4ft. of snow, the SUN makes me feel GOOD.

I agree with most of the others. I've started pulling the gardening books and seed catalogs off the shelf, plotting/planning the garden, reading up on new animals we plan on acquiring (whenever the 4ft. of snow melts!). Also like one of the others, in some ways I look forward to winter -- it's a quiet time. I can catch up on knitting/crochet projects, reading that book, cooking that new meal, etc. I might add: to heck with the cold, GET OUT! I never enjoyed winter until we moved to the mountains/country! In the city it was a very depressing affair, but here its just beautiful. Even when its very cold (barring a blizzard!!) we like to be outside doing anything. Just get yourself some really good thermal underwear, quality coat and insulated boots and enjoy!

-- Lisa (tepeeclan@nidlink.com), February 22, 2000.

You guys have some great ideas! And great lives! Thank you.

It was interesting to read what you do, and the fact that climates are different made it even more so.

Today the sun is shining (you see, it's mostly gray and drizzly....which is why folks that move here from even cold places get depressed and move "home" after the first winter...NO SUN!! Who cares if it's cold? Or something like that....however, now they all stay anyway because they can be depressed until their Microsoft stock options mature, and then move "home" anyway in four years......ahem....)

I am now more motivated to just keep moving, thanks to you. I do stay fairly busy, workout, and try to keep a happy attitude. This year, though, I am *really* ready for warm, sunny weather.

Since we bred for late lambs this year (April) I think spring will officially start here when they are born! Until then...

Thanks again for your comments. I hear loud and clear to get outside and keep moving! Good advice. Now, where's my Goretex?...

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), February 23, 2000.

Well, I have the Spring fever too. Today was in the 60's (Northcentral WV) and tonight the first peeper was heard. I ordered the potatoes for planting and the 100 oak tree saplings arrived today and will need planted ASAP. I am planning the hen house repairs, though I cleaned it thoroughly on Monday (another nice day at 50). I like to read over my garden notes and evaluate my plans for the next season. I think taxes always make this a time that I am reflective on money matters. Those are just a few things on my mind these days.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), February 23, 2000.

I, like Rachel, live in Minnesota. I fill ip my time, much like she does but I also am fortunate to have a good stand of mature maple trees that I tap every year for syrup. For me, spring starts when the sap runs and if this warm weather holds up (40's), I'll be tapping early this year! Can't wait! Patti

-- Patti Morris (pmorris@ecenet.com), February 23, 2000.

You are all inpiring. I live in southern Ky (near Cumberland Gap) and we had 75 degrees yesterday. This was wonderful. We got outside saw all the daffodils blooming. But the sad part is that this happens at least once every year and then we are shut back up inside again for the remaining month or so of winter. It is quite a tease! Many years I lose daffodils because of the the big snows we usually get in the middle of March. I'm not complaining...I love it. I like the snow because we don't have it all the time. I like the warmth because it is so refreshing. When my children tell me that they are "burning up" at 75 I just laugh and think of what they'll be saying next fall after 100 degree summer days. 75 degrees will make them put on a jacket! After reading your answers I plan on renewing my spring cleanout with vigor. I'm planning a big yard sale the first warm weekend in May and have a lot of work ahead of me. It will be a great feeling to be working in the garden this summer knowing that my house is in order inside. When the vegetables start coming in so fast that it's hard to can them all I look forward to an uncluttered home. I also like to curl up with as many books as I can in the winter because summer reading doesn't always fit into the schedule. Quilting is one of those things that I haven't gotten to yet..but as I hear from many of you procrastination isn't so uncommon. I have cross stitched quilt that I finished the top for in high school and haven't finished quilting yet! We won't go into how many years that is! Thanks for all the great answers!

-- Jennifer (jkmills@freewwweb.com), February 26, 2000.

While carbohydrate loading sounds appealing to combat the winter doldrums we sometimes feel, I surely agree with everyone that keeping busy is the best solution. No matter how chilly it becomes here {20 min. from the Canadian border in NY} we always get out in old man winter using mind over matter.If you don't mind -30 temps. it don't matter! Snowshoeing, chores, towing neighbors out of ditches {yep, I fell in too this winter!} takes lots of energy and I know I'm always more cheerful after lots of work/accomplishment. Now, that Spring is quite possibly peeping around the corner {our temps. are 40-50's} I'm bummin. Why? MUD SEASON, of course as everyone in our locale braces for the 4x4 event of the year {whose "driveway" will allow them to reach the homestead the longest, without parking on the blacktop & hikin'in minus one boot.} Also, the ever popular game; what the sam hill is this junk on my property, and how did it get here?! During mud season I crave citrus fruit for some reason and have a hankering to watch a movie with Mel Gibson in it, go figure. Happy Spingshine to All.

-- Susan (TheMahoney4@cs.com), February 26, 2000.

Mud Season -- I heard THAT! Four little kids and more mud every day than I can believe, and with the warm temps, they have to be out (and in) and out, (then in). Still, as I told the mailman when he complained about the rain, it still beats the snow. I mudwrestled the goats and trimmed hooves, glad to be out in my shirtsleeves. The sheep kept looking at me like they wanted a go of it, but that mud bath would make for some long hours washing the fleece....

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), February 26, 2000.

Rachel, Susan, you two are lucky to have mud! Yup, here all we have is dust. It has been so dry the past two years, that even weeds are having a hard time growing! Too bad we just can't equal things out a bit over the whole country, but that's the way it is. Each area has it's good and bad points, and when I start feeling homesick for green grass,and lots of trees, I just have to give myself a kick in the pants and be glad we have some property, a home, food, clothes, etc. Not a castle, but comfortable, and always in some stage of remodeling, improvement. No time to get bored, and I am trying to make myself learn a new skill each winter when I get "housebound". We are fortunate to have a bookmobile come to the local school every week, and can get whatever books/movies/audio tapes the library can locate, so that helps. Sure won't have time to read when gardening starts! Take care, and have heart, winter will soon be over! Jan

-- Jan Bullock (Janice12@aol.com), February 28, 2000.

Boy,I about fell out of my chair laughing when I read Jean's comment about spending entirely too much time sniffing hyacinths! For the last several weeks, the first spot we hit in the grocery store is the floral shop and stand around for way too long sniffing hyacinths and gazing at the lillies. Then my wife thinks that she just HAS to liberate one of the balloons from their little holding pen on the ceiling! It's hard to rebuke her and laugh at the same time. Here in the upstate of S.C., we have had a fairly decent winter. Enough cold to really enjoy our old woodheater,but some of the most beautiful spring-like days! We went by our local feed store the other day to check on delivery date for day old chicks,drug out new seed catalogs,trying to figure out what not to plant this year. We stay sooo busy that it seems like before you know it, it's springtime, but in the same vein, before you know it, it's winter again.Hmmm. Does anyone else have this little problem with the speed of time these days? Well, I hope everyone has 100% germination rates this year,of course this could be a blessing or a curse I guess. UNCLE JAKE

-- UNCLEJAKE (lulafred@cs.com), March 04, 2000.

It's almost spring now, even here in New Hampshire, and I'm sure glad to see it, but I like winter, too. I finally got daring enough to try my youngest daughter on snowshoes (she's autistic, and can do some things and not others, so I wasn't too sure how she'd do). Well, it wasn't all roses; she toes in and tends to put one foot in front of the other when she walks -- doesn't work too well with four-foot-long snowshoes on! So my husband sprung for a cheap "modern" pair that's only about two feet long, and she did a lot better. We ran out of snow early this year, though, so are looking forward to next year! Her snowshoes are in the attic for the summer, she asks me where they are almost every day, so I guess she wasn't too traumatized!!

A few years ago, when the girls were younger, we were living in Alaska, and I really enjoyed the winters there. They were too long, but little precip., so usually the weather didn't prohibit going outside, as it sometimes does in the rainy Pacific Northwest. The two older girls had ponies, which they rode almost every day, even when it was fifty or sixty below. Or they would tie a plastic sled or two on behind one of the ponies, one girl would ride (no driving reins) as the pony pulled one or two or three children on the sleds. They'd get going too fast on a sharp corner and dump the whole lot in the snow bank! They had a lot of fun! But it's nice to be able to start plants for the garden, get outside and see crocuses coming up and know that the peepers will be singing again soon. That's when it's really spring, to me.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 13, 2000.