Morning Stretches

In the dark morning hours, I shuffle downstairs, put on the coffee, feed Max and let him out, giving me enough time to do a routine of morning stretches. This exercise helps me to wake up my sleepy body and mind, ease the aching muscles before I work them hard, and give me a moment of short meditation to start my day. There is something satisfying and energizing in reaching as high as I can toward the ceiling.

The seedlings were doing the same in my windowsill the past few weeks. In order to prevent them from getting too leggy as they stretched for the sunlight, I was routinely turning them to help them dance from side to side and hopefully strengthen their legs. I brought them all out to the greenhouse this past weekend where the “dance” and stretch would happen more naturally as they followed the full path of the sun. …then it got cold, again! Protected only by a thin layer of plastic, temperatures below freezing would surely kill them if not severely hurt their progress. Jack did maintenance early on the heater and filled the propane tank; I assumed all would be well, until I went in late in the afternoon and saw my breath! A new electric heater, fresh out the box and unused sat in the attic. Hoping this would take the edge off, I grabbed that, set it to 60 degrees and went to bed. The sun is rising, and I have fingers crossed that the little seedlings will be stretching this morning for the light and warmth. I’ll keep you posted!